What is the Crusader Cross

   Many of you are asking about the "Crusader Crosses" that I create and have handed out or sold in the last few years. To date, I have made over (340) and am on my next batch any day now. Under the training of a master smith, I have been guided in both heart and mind to forge many great and unique items. The one that I am most proud of is the Crusader Cross. It is based on the Frederickson design and forged with similar techniques used by earlier blacksmiths when creating articles for men and women during the 1st Crusade of 12th C. They would (as I have done) prayed over each part of the forming processes from the cutting, bending, and shaping of each item. I have gone a step or two further by quenching them in holy water, coating with bees wax/ linseed oil, applying gold metal paste, and finishing with a clear coating. Lastly, I embed them with blessed salt and recite the prayer of St. Benedict of Nursia over the "religious" articles.

  In the last few years, I have "sold" them to a wide variety of people: priests, nuns, lay persons, total strangers with serious health problems, families, young kids struggling with addition or just wanting to be better persons. My best spiritual friend has one in a memory care clinic in CA, there is One in Mexico City, Four in the Peoples Republic of China, and several on the Isle of Ireland. Why do I make so many, well I firmly believe we should all use the talents God gave us no matter what stage of life we are in. So here is my challenge --go out and make a difference today in whatever great or small way that you can. You wont regret it.