All sorts of images of Mary are collected, such as postcards, statues, prayer cards, books, photos of altars and paintings, candles, medallions, stamps, and rosaries. Additionally, the nativity scene is a sought-after collector's item.
Such collections can grow to be very substantial over the years. For example, I have a friend who owns more than 200 nativity scenes and a good acquaintance who has gathered countless colourful novena candles. My priest has hundreds of statuettes, mainly depicting Our Lady. Building up such collections requires a great deal of effort. It involves going out, visiting places, and seeing what is available to supplement the collection. Often, these are places of pilgrimage for the Virgin Mary where something special can be found to expand the collection. Developing such a hobby requires sufficient space to house the collected items.
For collectors, it is important to consider in good time what to do when stopping collecting due to the feeling of “enough is enough”, downsizing, illness or death. Giving valuable items to a trusted person or organisation ensures the collection's continuity. This also happens by selling objects that have been carefully assembled.
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