Saturday, May 12, 2012

Happy Mother's Day

This is my Mom she is on your right with the rosary beads and was taken at St. Cecilia's Church in Ashland, Massachusetts.  This was when there was a May Procession.  Years later I would work on the grotto and getting the flowers and landscape ready for 1st Communion students to crown the statue of Mary.  Although, the May Procession as such was not practiced, the students did process from the church to crown the statue and sing songs praising Mary, along with the parishioners. I don't know what possessed me to alter that photo above with silly daisies, ugh!  I have to find the original picture again and rescan. 

Before I get into the Grotto, just wanted to post a picture of my mother cooking.  She was always cooking and baking and known for her baking skills since a young child in the 4H. She had all the Sunday dinners for the family all the time.  Oh,  I miss my Mom! 


How, I got involved in the Grotto at St. Cecilia's:

Many years ago, I had the privilege and honor of working for John Stokes, Jr., co-founder of Mary's Gardens. As we are coming upon Mary's Month of May, I am thinking of the gardens and the flowers of Our Lady.  Here's a link to the Marian News page.  with comments regarding honoring Our Lady. 


"Mary's Gardens was founded in 1951 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to research the hundreds of flowers named in medieval times as symbols of the life, mysteries and privileges of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus—as recorded by botanists, folklorists and lexicographers; and to assist in the planting of "Mary Gardens" of "Flowers of Our Lady" today." from his website now found at University of Dayton Marian Library.



1993
I found Mr. Stokes online actually, while looking for flowers to add to a garden at what was my church, and is my 'home' parish, St.Cecilia's Parish, Ashland, MA.   Friends and I were recreating the Grotto of Our Lady there.  While that was a truly life changing experience, I was soon to meet John Stokes, Jr., via online correspondence and eventually did some transcription. for his work with the organization.  Much of what I transcribed was his thoughts and those of his colleague and friend,  Bonnie Roberson.   From his articles on mgardens.org found now at the University of Dayton.  (now at Dayton).  You will see from reading the main site, there is comprehensive research on the flowers of Our Lady.  I would then visit the Lillie Tower in Falmouth, MA on Cape Cod, being inspired by his original story and also the US National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC while on a college visit and subsequently trying to make the Ashland garden a sort of a shrine. 

Because it is Mother's Day, I'm remembering those days of flowers and new growth.  The site still looks good as it is well maintained.  Maybe over the weekend I'll take an updated picture. 


Vaya con Dios


Happy Mother's Day