FAQs

Shipping and Returns

See our Shipping and Returns Page (Shipping and Returns)

Payments

What forms of payment do you accept?
Is PayPal reliable?
Do you accept payments from outside of the USA?
What if I want to pay for the items in my cart later?
What is the nature of my payment to Sisters of Carmel?
How are your items different?
On the rosaries, why do you ask if it is for a man or a woman?
Can you help me understand all of the different metal terminology that you use?
Why does my rosary keep breaking?
Can I design my own rosary?
What if I cannot decide what to get as a gift?
Are your religious items already blessed?
What is the Happy Death Indulgence?

What Forms of payments do you accept?

Electronically, we accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, e-checks (which is a one-time electronic draft from your checking account), and checks or money orders by mail.

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Is PayPal reliable?

PayPal is one of the largest electronic payment services on the web. They use secure servers and are very dependable. We can honestly say that we have never had any problems with their service. For more information, visit the PayPal website.

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Do you accept payments from outside the USA?

Yes.  If you are outside of the United States you can select your country from the list by clicking on the flag icon in the bottom right hand corner of our website.  Prices displayed will then include any applicable VAT taxes and shipping.

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What if I want to pay for the items in my cart later?

From one visit to the next, your shopping cart will retain items added to it. So, feel free to add as many items as you like to the cart, knowing that they do not need to be paid for and that they will be waiting for you there the next time you come to our site. Customers who create an account also have the option of adding items to their wishlist.

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What is the nature of my payment to Sisters of Carmel?

Your payment to Sisters of Carmel for items designed, handcrafted and selected by our Sisters is a suggested donation which helps support our Carmelite life of prayer and sacrifice for God and neighbor. (Besides the amounts we ask for our items, charitable donations can also be made directly to the Monastery on the About Us page.)

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How are your items different?

Our handmade items are skillfully crafted by the Carmelite Sisters. Each of the Sisters has many years of experience making these beautiful sacramentals. The rosaries and chaplets are unique in their construction, especially with our use of traditional “bows”. Our quality chains, bows and other techniques make our rosaries and chaplets the most sturdy, durable and beautiful that you will find. We also carefully choose the items not made by us so that everything on our site is the most beautiful and highest quality of its kind available. You will want one of our items when only the best will do. See some testimonials.

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On partly-custom rosaries, why do you ask if it is for a man or a woman?

We have many center medals and metal crucifixes to choose from. Not only do we choose ones to match the beads and parts that you have selected, but we also try to choose ones that we think will be more to the taste of the sex of the person that will be using the rosary. Some centers in particular are more obviously feminine (more fancy and ornate), and we will not choose one of these if we know that the rosary is for a man.

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Can you help me understand all of the different metal terminology that you use?

Our items come in many different types of metal, from gold to silver oxidized. Please click here to learn about the different types of metal.

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Why does my rosary keep breaking?

When quality rosaries break, the most common cause is that they are being kept loose in a pocket or purse. They get scraped, tangled, caught and pulled...treatment that even the most sturdy rosary cannot withstand. That is why we also offer quality rosary pouches. Storing your rosary in a rosary pouch will keep it in like-new condition.

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Can I design my own rosary?

Yes. Please visit our Build a Custom Rosary page, which allows you to build your own rosary from our full selection of beautiful and high-quality beads, crucifixes, centers, side medals, and metal parts.

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What if I cannot decide what to get as a gift?

Sometimes it is difficult to decide when purchasing a gift for another. Since we understand that, we offer gift certificates, which make wonderful gifts and allow recipients to choose just what they want. Also visit our “Gifts for special occasions” page for gift ideas.

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Are your religious items already blessed?

Upon request, we will be happy to have any items blessed by a priest. The Brown Scapular need not be blessed if one has been enrolled in the Confraternity of the Brown Scapular. As part of the ceremony, the person is blessed along with the scapular; therefore, all subsequent scapulars do not need to be blessed.

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What is the Happy Death Indulgence?

Whoever at the moment of death, fortified with the Sacraments of the Church, or contrite of heart, in the supposition of being unable to receive them, will kiss this Crucifix and ask pardon of God for his sins, and pardon his neighbor, will gain a PLENARY INDULGENCE. (Plenary: unconditional, unlimited, unrestricted, absolute; full, complete, entire)

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Testimonials

“I just wanted to thank you for the excellent customer service provided by your online shop and the very fine quality of scapular (the best I've seen) and Miraculous medal. I admire the wonderful work you are doing towards the restoration of Holy Church and Her glorious traditions.”

– D.M., Northern Ireland

“Out of all of the on-line religious goods stores I've found, the articles on your website are all quality without the kitsch. I received my order of religious jewelry super fast. Thank you. I’m so happy to have a place to go when I need a quality sacramental.”

– Andrew, Colorado, USA

“Every item is absolutely beautiful! I have not encountered any other service, either online or brick-and-mortar establishment, that offers items of the same exquisite quality as your sacramentals. The aesthetic beauty is not only pleasing to the eye but inspires devotion in the heart and a more ardent desire to please God. I will definitely be using your wonderful service for most of my devotional needs! Thanks again! God bless you, Sisters.”

– Antonia, New York, USA

“Excellence is the Sisters trademark! As always, a smooth easy means of purchase, coupled with prompt shipping . The Items I have purchased over the years are always of superb quality and workmanship. I could not be more pleased.”

- Francis T Walsh

“I have now purchased at least a dozen brown scapulars from the Sisters of Carmel and have always received items of the utmost quality that wear very well. Adding to my satisfaction is that the Sisters charge a standard USPS shipping rate for the items, i.e., they do not add to one’s cost by charging inflated “shipping and handling” charges. Furthermore, my order was shipped one business day after I placed my order. We are all called by God to serve within the confines of His graces to us. The Sisters of Carmel are models of that calling.”

- Ed Shimkus

“I have received my orders from you and again want to thank you for them. The Blessed Sacrament and Seven Dolors chaplets are beautiful and will be treasured by me for many years. As others have said, the pictures on the web site don’t do them justice. I also want to thank you for the books you carry. They are clearly selected with the goal of deepening faith. It is wonderful to find a place where I can go and know that I will receive quality, not only of merchandise, but of faith. Again, thank you for the work you do.”

– Mary, Minnesota, USA

“I just received my scapular and crucifix along with the Miraculous Medals. I am so very pleased with the quality of the items! Truly the BEST on-line selection of sacramentals. Thanks so much! I will be ordering from you again soon.”

– David, Ohio, USA

“Your website is like an oasis of good spiritual things! You do such magnificent work, the chaplets are amazing! The badges are like having good friends near, and your books are so nourishing to the soul. I feel so blessed to have found you. Thank you again, and you are in my prayers.”

– Laura, California, USA

“Unbelievable service – I received my order on Monday, exactly five days after placing it. Your customer service is outstanding. Everything was securely packaged and arrived in perfect condition. The ceramic ornaments are lovely, and I can’t wait to add them to my Christmas tree this year. The exquisite suncatcher will be placed in my kitchen window where it will be appreciated every day. And as for the ‘In Paradisum’ CD, all I can say is it’s on continuous loop right now. I love early sacred choral music and have a collection of CD’s, but this one is stunningly beautiful and has become my new favorite.”

– Linda, North Carolina, USA

“I wanted to let you know that I received the Rosary that you created for us just a short while ago. Sisters, it has to be without exception the most beautiful Rosary I have ever held. It is exactly how I envisioned it and the size is perfect. You were also right about the beads; the color is exceptional! Thank you, thank you, thank you each and every Sister for doing such a perfect job and for putting up with us throughout this whole process. While rersearching this project, every time I looked elsewhere, I always seemed to be guided back to the Sisters of Carmel, and now I know why...PERFECTION!

– A Catholic Church, New York, USA

“I just wanted to thank you for the exceptional care you took in packing/shipping the books and other items in my order.... It’s the little extra touches like this that go a long way with the customer and lets them know how much you value their business.”

– R.C., New York, USA

“I received my sterling silver Pardon Crucifix yesterday. It was such a pleasure to receive it. Everything was packaged and presented with such care and finesse. The crucifix was crafted with such intricate and beautiful details that it does not do justice to look at it through the Internet. One has to order it to relish what a beautiful piece of art it is. Again, the manner you package the crucifix, the enclosures contained within, and the quality of craftmanship itself has totally exceeded my expectations.”

– K.W.C.

“I recently purchased a cord rosary from the Sisters of Carmel. I have to say the quality and craftsmanship was far beyond my expectations. I was so impressed I ordered two more rosaries as gifts. God bless the Sisters of Carmel and God bless your ministry! Your rosaries, in my opinion, are of the finest quality anywhere.”

- Chris

“When I asked my priest to bless my new scapular, it took his breath away by its handmade beauty. I told him it had been made with loving hands by the Sisters of Carmel. I felt the Holy Spirit say to give it to him. I did. He was overwhelmed. I ordered another one for myself and it arrived today. I love it. It is so beautiful. I will kiss it every day. I am eager to have it blessed tomorrow and wear it immediately. Thank you.”

– Anonymous

“I love to order any item from your site. Always such high quality and a joy for all that I give them to. Your care and blessings are felt from the Holy Spirit to us. Thank you and God bless you.”

- Julia

“Once again the best. I appreciate you quickly sending me the scapular. I could have gone locally to purchase one, but I truly appreciate your craftsmanship and customer service.”

- Linda

“This is the most beautiful rosary I have ever seen crafted. Combining high quality materials, skillful labor, and loving prayer, the Carmelite Sisters are hands down the best choice to go with when shopping for rosaries. Reasonably priced, quick delivery, and wonderful customer service, I will DEFINITELY be ordering all of my future rosary purchases from ”