DURING THE MIDDLE AGES, PEOPLE SAW REMINDERS OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD, IN THE HERBS AND FLOWERS GROWING AROUND THEM.
Villagers tending their plots; herbalists cutting medicinal herbs and cloistered nuns on their knees planting flowers and herbs gave honor and praise to the Mother of the Divine as they carried out their humble tasks.
'Flower of flowers'
Medieval people were devoted to Mary, and decorated altars with flowers on her feast days. Violets were symbols of her humility; lilies symbolised her purity, and vibrant roses her glory.
They named Mary 'Flower of Flowers' and named plants after her.
Mary's life
There are more than thirty herbs and flowers which bear touching legends about Mary's life.
You might wish to grow a Mary Garden dedicated to Mary; many people have a Marian garden, in which they grow plants associated with her name.
An image of Mary resides in the Marian garden.
These statues can be easily obtained. [See [1] for one link].
The Marian garden is a wonderful place to spend time in, increase your serenity and turn your heart and mind to God in prayer.
'Rosary'
St Benedict had a rose garden ['rosary'] at his monastery in the 4th century.
The first garden we know of which was specifically dedicated to Mary was that of the Irish St Fiacre in the 7th century.
The earliest record of a Mary Garden is that of a fifteenth century monastic accounting of records for the purchase of plants for 'S. Mary's Garden'.
This record was made by the Norwich Priory Sacristan in England.
Rich tradition
Prior to the Second Vatican Council of the early 1960's, a rich tradition of honoring Mary with flowers flourished.
May crownings of Marian statues with flowers were carried out.
Home altars with an image of Mary were often decorated by home-grown flowers.
After the Council, the medieval customs faded somewhat; but in a post-Conciliar revival, the Mary Garden has made a strong comeback.
In medieval times, legends about flowers and herbs were used to instruct the faithful, as well as to entertain them.
As those striving to know more about the gospel values gazed at violets, they thought of Mary's humility. They would then try to practise her humility in their daily lives.
Medieval men and women sang Mary's praises when they passed petunias; and thought of Mary's sorrows during her life as they saw the purple blossoms and sword-like leaves of the blue flag iris.
Popes and poets
Popes and poets praised Mary in hymns, such as in this 15th-century Ave Maria:
Heil be touch, Marie, that aff flour of all
As roose in eerbir so reed.
If you wish to make a Mary garden, remember it is very simple to create; it is a small sacred garden enclosing a statue or shrine of the Virgin Mary.
You can plant flowers that remind you of Mary. Read through the lists of flowers and herbs we will provide, and which can be easily grown in your own Mary garden.
Make your own Mary garden
A Mary Garden is a garden dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God.
In a Mary Garden, which can be as small as a clay pot or as large as a park, a statue of Mary is surrounded by herbs and flowers which have special significance for her, through legends or naming.
If you have a garden or backyard, why not plant your Mary garden there?
Otherwise plant your garden in a pot on your windowsill, on a patio or on an indoor table.
Virtual Mary garden
If you are sick and bedbound, or a child with no garden of your own, you can make a picture of a Mary garden and place it next to your bed.
Looking at the picture will immediately give you a virtual Mary's garden where you can connect with the Mother of the Divine.
Pilgrimage to Mary gardens
Should you wish to make a pilgrimage in Mary's honor, you may find these herbs and flowers in Mary gardens throughout the world.
Five large Mary Gardens, each with a statue of the holy Madonna and all connected with religious institutions, are located east of the Mississippi River.
- The Garden of Our Lady, across Millfield Street from St Joseph Church in Woods Hole on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
- The Mary Garden at St Mary's Church Annapolis, Maryland, is located behind the church in the quadrangle formed by the church, rectory and Carroll House on Duke of Gloucester Street in old Annapolis.
- The Mary Garden at the Shrine at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at Mount Saint John is located near Dayton, Ohio. The grotto is a model of the Massabielle Lourdes Grotto of France.
- Mary's Garden at St Catherine of Siena Church in Portage, Michigan.
- The Mary Garden at the Episcopal Convent of the Transfiguration on the grounds of the convent in the Cincinnati, Ohio, suburb of Glendale.
- Mary Gardens at the Knock Shrine, County Mayo, Ireland.
- Artane Oratory of the Resurrection, Dublin Ireland.
ENGLAND
- Cloister of Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln, England.
AUSTRALIA
- Our Lady's Parish, Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia.
- The Church of Our Lady of Akita, Akita, Japan.
[1] Link to Virgin Mary Garden Statues; Catholic Home and Garden
http://www.catholichomeandgarden.com/virgin_mary_shrines_for_sale.htm
With thanks to catholichomeandgarden.com
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