Milagros, Spanish for “miracles,” have been used for centuries as prayer petitions. They resemble little charms and are made from bone, tin, wood, silver, and gold and shaped into eyes, hearts, feet, cars, houses, books, and even animals. The shape is usually associated with the petition. Milagros are attached to statues of saints, walls of churches, altars, or crosses, and can be found throughout Latin America in great abundance.
It is simple enough to make your own lenten milagros cross. Start with a fairly large cross. Wood, plastic, or cardboard will work. Think about the graces you need or seek this Lenten season. Make your milagros out of paper, cloth, clay, wax, foil, etc. You may even find small items around your house that symbolize something special. Each day in Lent, attach one of your milagros to the cross and recite the prayer below. At the end of 40 days your milagros cross will be laden with the prayer offerings of your family.
A few years ago I made a milagros quilt featuring Our Lady of Guadalupe. We have added holy medals, charms, and religious pins to our milagros wall hanging. So you don’t have to limit yourself to crosses or lent with this project.
Most merciful father, as I offer you my special lenten petition symbolized by the milagro that I attach to this cross, I pray that you will be pleased by my desire to grow in holiness. Bless my keepingof Lent. Help me to take up my cross each day, to deny myself, and to follow your Sn in faithfulness. Throughout these forty days, help me to know my hopelessness in myself that I may never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please accept my intention for this day, ______________, and grant it according to your loving providence in the name of Jesus, who is our Lord, now and forever. Amen. Our Father, who art in heaven . . . etc.
(Prayer taken from the March 2003 issue of Magnificat.)
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