There’s no toy more classic than a doll. A simple, sweet thing perfect for imaginative play, companionship in solitude, and sentiment to last for years and years.
As a little girl, there was nothing I wanted more than an American Girl doll – a tangible image of the child heroines I read about in the famed series of the 90s (I know A.G. is still around, but it’s just not the same). It would have been a wonderful experience pretending with these characters, reliving their historical surroundings in my imagination.
But you know what would have been a million times better than Samantha, Felicity, or Molly?
Thérèse. Saint Thérèse.
Dolls from Heaven is a new company with prayerful play at the heart of its mission, and they have made a beautiful image of the Little Flower perfect for a girl’s imagination; the 18″ doll comes dressed in a Carmelite habit accompanied by a small book based on The Story of a Soul by St. Thérèse herself. Additionally, there are accessories available – a darling dress for Sunday Mass, as well as a small collection of Carmelite accessories including a Rosary, holy cards, and mantle.
What if dressing up a doll cultivated thoughts of religious vocation, a love of Christ, or at least sparked a devotion and new friendship with a saint? What if pretending actually oriented a girl’s heart to heaven?
Let me tell you, it’s entirely possible.
The Little Flower was my very first saint friend and I eagerly developed a devotion to her when I was 8 years old, praying her novena often and asking for her help. I can only imagine how sweet and fun it would have been to play with my own Thérèse doll.
The Kiczek family contacted me about their new company and mission, asking if I would get the word out. I didn’t hesitate for a second because this is the only product of its kind on the market and the goal is to invite imagination to go in more heavenly directions. You can get plush saint dolls for babies and toddlers, and at last older girls will have something just for them. Thérèse is just the first in a promising line of plans for Dolls from Heaven, the future of which looks very bright indeed.
AND here’s a fun bonus – from today through Monday, they’re offering a 15% OFF coupon code just for readers here at The Catholic Wife! Just use code THECATHOLICWIFE to apply the discount to your full order! (exp. 9/14/15) The St. Thérèse doll is available for pre-order now and shipments will go out starting in November, just in time for Christmas!
Heart-felt prayers and gratitude for the Kiczek family and their work! How inspired to transform play time into pray time.
