Prayer quilts

School Sisters of Notre Dame Associates

Living out the works of mercy in their everyday life

By Associate Barbara Spees – California

I am an SSND Associate and a member of the Quilt Club at Guardian Angels Parish in Santee, California. We provide handmade prayer quilts for those who are ill and ask for our prayers.

The prayer quilt is a visible sign that people are praying for the person in need. The layers of the quilt are held together by a long heavy piece of thread, which is tied off by a square knot. When the knot is tied, a prayer is said for the person in need. The thread is left long, so many more knots can be tied, each representing a prayer. I have seen prayer quilts that have dozens of knots tied on each of the long threads…. a visible sign of prayer and support. The motto of a prayer quilt is “it’s not about the quilt; it’s all about the prayers.”

More than 300 prayer quilts have been distributed to parish members, their families and friends, and anyone in need of our prayers.

After the quilts are made, our Pastor blesses the quilts.

Then after Mass, our parishioners come out and bestow their prayers upon the quilt. As they tie a knot in the string, they say a prayer. The quilt is then presented to the recipient of the prayer quilt by their sponsor.

Barbara and other quilters lay out the
fabric and cut the quilt pieces.

I enjoy this work of mercy because it gives me joy to know that I am helping someone by giving them hope and strength through our prayers. By connecting to others through prayer quilts, we unite in love and faith. Other parishes have come to us for guidance in preparing their quilt groups. This act of mercy is growing throughout our Diocese of San Diego.