Prayerful Creations

All who enjoy knitting and crocheting are invited to join in this special ministry. We create prayer shawls for patients of Angela Hospice in Livonia (www.angelahospice.org) and scarves for the homeless who are served through St. Aloysius Parish (www.stalsparishdetroit.org) in downtown Detroit. As the shawls and scarves are made, prayers are said for the individuals who will receive the items, and Father blesses the items when they are completed.

The prayer shawls bring a very personal physical and spiritual comfort to those who are dying and to their families. Each individual in the hospice program receives a shawl with a special prayer. The shawl may later be buried with the individual or kept by the person’s family.

Prayer shawls and scarves may be knitted or crocheted at home, or a small group meets every Monday from 1-3 pm in rooms 1 & 2. You may use any color and type of yarn and any pattern. Baby blankets are created with love for babies and young children in the hospice program. A completed shawl typically measures approximately 20 inches by 60 inches.

This sample Prayer Shawl Crochet Pattern was developed by Rita Glod and may be modified: Chain 54 stitches or desired width of shawl. Use N size hook. Chain 1, turn, single crochet in each of the stitches to end. Chain 3 and turn. Double crochet in top of each single crochet. Repeat this row 2 more times. Chain 1 and do 1 row of single crochet to end. Chain 3 and turn. Do 3 rows of double crochet. Repeat pattern to end (1 row single, 3 rows double). End with 1 row of single. Finish with fringe if desired.

A Prayer for You is provided with a baby’s blanket:

You, little one, are very special to God. This Prayer Shawl was made with you in mind. Our prayer for you is that God may guide you, keep you, and hold you in His arms. May this shawl, as it is folded over you, keep you warm in His love, close to His heart, and at peace in His presence.


The Prayer for Comfort provided with each prayer shawl was written by Cathleen O’Meara Murtha, DW:

    As you wrap yourself in this shawl of comfort…may the Mother of Mercy, the Father of Faithfulness and the Spirit of  Compassion wrap you in their all-encompassing love this day.

   May you find comfort from all that appears too much to bear at this moment, from all that feels as it might be the breaking point, from all that seems to threaten your peace of heart.

    May this shawl be a shelter for time of overwhelming grief, a shade in times of sorrow too deep for words, a shield from times of unimaginable loss.

   May you be comforted by the presence of those who love and support you, by faith in the eternal Loving One, by the memories of what you hold most dear.

   May you be strengthened in your daily comings and goings, in your tentative new beginnings, in your unfolding new memories.

 Blessings of the Angel of Comfort be with you and all you love, now and forevermore.


To volunteer, request more information, or donate supplies, please contact Kay Kermode at 248-476-4700 or Kay@saintpriscilla.org.