Ditta E. Moreschi Di Casali Giovanni Snc

So we were apart of a school tour. During the visit, this was our last stop on tour of the Vatacan and suggested by the guide to be a good spot for meaningful souvenirs.We were told you can buy anything in the store and have it blessed. We were even told you can bring in your own item and have it blessed here.I am not aware if there was any cost for the blessing but I am pretty sure I heard it's no cost (check with the store).There was many expensive items and jewellery and there were many affordable or cheaper items. It didn't matter if you bought a $5 euro bracelet or Rosary or an expensive necklace or vase: the shop staff helped with your search, made a positive sale and treated you with respect, compassion and dignity.I am Christian, I am not baptized for some odd reason even though my sister and parents were: they never allowed me to. As an adult and a believer, often times I can be faced with discrimination or interrogation because of my lack of papers or officiality. I was intimidated to do any shopping in a Holy City or anywhere in Italy because of the prior negative experiences back home in Canada. I didn't want the trauma while I was on a school trip/vacation. I just assumed a Catholic Capital of the world might potentially be the same as the type of Catholic/Christian I had experienced already in my life. I was wrong and it helped me see religion differently and seperate the social normalacies or stigma and stereotypes apart from the belief and institutional structure.I might be dumb, but there was no question for my belief or commitment to a church or Jesus, but judgement from those peers that pose to be believers but act like hypocrites had always been a barrier for me. The store and locations were not over commodified or made to feel to be about the transaction. It was a humbling experience looking at jewelery (costume or precious) and knowing without hesitation they offer blessings for it and invitation to bring something to get it blessed. It was one of the few times in my life that it felt like a genuine humble and equitable experience in relation to religion.The tour guide highly suggested for people to take a look around and reminded them this was once in a life time and if you cannot afford to buy, it's free to leave something that you own to be blessed. All items were picked up or delivered (that was a tour guide arrangement, I don't know about individual pick up).The ladies helping us to pick out an item respected my low income status but treated my daughter like royalty to help ensure she could find something. It wasn't hard, as the ladies knew their stock well and had a budget in mind. It was beautiful.We have our blessed items now and we are reminded how we were treated with dignity.There were so many affordable items and generic souvenirs but many unique pieces and decor. My daughter went back to buy post cards and check one last time at stationary items.It might sound corny, but it was so nice to know, no matter who you are they would bless your purchase or your personal item. I am not fully a believer in that way or a fanatic about blessings but I know how much it meant for my family who have passed on and some were very devout catholics, and it's once in a lifetime..... Intimidated by my lack of official religious status I felt secure enough to follow through with the suggestion of blessing and it was very enlightening.I hope others in a situation like me, learn about the opportunity for the blessing and if it feels right, it feels necessary: to also have courage and access the positive experience at this location.We went in other stores and didn't notice nor be told if they also offered the blessings. So to my knowledge, this was the only place.