For the past few years, prayer blankets have been offered through Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church.

“We knew that they had them in Henry, before Hurricane Rita,” said Suzanne Meaux. “They also had prayer blankets at St. Therese Catholic Church, but for some reason, they stopped.

“We approached Father Blanda,” Meaux continued, “and he thought it was a great ministry to have at our church.”

Meaux explained that these blankets are sewed by volunteers and are then blessed by the Rev. Manny Fernendez, who is currently the pastor at St. John Church in Henry.

“Father Manny is a healing priest,” noted Meaux. “He does healing masses where he puts his hands on a person and heals whatever ailments they have.”

Meaux said, during the Rev. Manny’s healing masses, “flaming the spirit” sometimes takes place.

“This is where Father Manny places his hands on you and blesses you,” Meaux said. “Some people fall as the Holy Spirit comes into you and there are people behind you to catch you. Others do not fall. Father Manny heals people and brings them peace.”

Meaux said these blessed prayer blankets have been known to help both adults and children who are enduring physical or emotional suffering.

She stressed that these prayer blankets are completely free.

“What happens is a call is placed to Anne (Guilbeaux) and our sewers make the blankets,” she said. “The blankets can either be brought to the person or picked up in the ministries building at Saint Mary Magdalen.

“There is no charge,” continued Meaux. “We just ask that you say a little prayer for the sewers who made the blanket.”

Meaux said the blanket-owner’s prayers complete a prayer circle.

“As the sewers sew the blankets, they say prayers,” said Meaux. “The blankets come with a little prayer card and saying the prayer on the card completes that circle.”

If any people are in need or know others that may need a prayer blanket, please contact Suzanne Meaux at 893-8969, Anne Guilbeaux at 893-8093 or Saint Mary Magdalen Catholic Church at 893-0244.