Flowers of Our Lady, Creating Mary's Gardens

 Looking for churches, home gardeners and parishes that are involved in the ministry of gardening for Mary. 
In starting this blog, I just want to get re-connected with those interested in starting a Mary Garden and those who have created Mary Gardens in the past to offer tips, insights and inspiration, plus share photos and videos of your gardens from around the world.



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.

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 (now at Dayton).  You will see from reading the main site, there is comprehensive research on the flowers of Our Lady.  I would visit the Lillie Tower being inspired by his original story and also the US National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC while on a college visit. 


I just started a newsletter of sorts.  With not being engaged with recent and new gardens, I posted some I found online and some of my Mary products.  At one time, I remember talking with John about having a Mary's Garden Shoppe and I even had the web domain, because he had secured that in advance.  It just didn't happen back then due to time constraints. 

As life takes me in a new direction, I hope to be able to talk with you all about Mary Gardening.  Whether you are starting one now or have been gardening with Mary in mind for years, we want to hear from  you.
John Stokes was a pioneer in his engagement of dialogue with email and the internet, so many, many years before facebook and twitter.  I would like to do him justice and keep the faith in perpetuity about Marian thoughts and gardening. 

Sincerely,

Paula

Please comment and send me a message if you are having trouble using this site.

Vaya con Dios

Come Follow Me, spiritual thoughts from twitter with music

These days splattered over the internet, twitter, facebook and other social media outlets, people are begging for you to follow them.  Come follow me, follow buttons to click and like buttons are standard on most contemporary web pages.


But, it just makes me think that there was one a few thousand years ago, One who said the same thing.  There wasn't the web dynamic, but there was something more superior, a higher being with more genuine synergy. Jesus said to follow Him and all would be well. You tube video Be Not Afraid.

Why then now in the year 2011 are people scurrying all around trying to get people to follow them?  Biblical scholars could pinpoint the chapter and verse, maybe Mark?  But, I know I heard Him say to follow Him. I got caught up in the times too, until I discovered I did not understand the facebook like thing at all and couldn't make it work to save my soul.  So, I decided  or reconfirmed my nature to just 'follow' Jesus in those ways that I can and save my soul in the old-fashioned way.  I'd like to share with you through experiences, words and song. So, I'm just sending out some contemporary good news videos and song about one who has more followers than any twitter could ever dream. 



For one thing, he doesn't give me any security issues or fear of losing my privacy.  Jesus holds my confidence.  I can talk to him day or night and do not have to share with the 'online world'.  When I do feel like sharing with the online world, such as tonight, it is because I an inspired to do so and not just general chit chat to fill precious time.  But then, I found out Pope John Paul II is now on facebook thanks to the current Pope who is keeping his saintly attributes alive during the beatification period.  I guess I'll give facebook another attempt one of these days, since I logged back in to like the Pope! 


I can't forget Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act! I will follow Him. 



During this Lenten season, I guess I'm a little more introspective about life. 
We are one Body by Dana Scallon is a beautiful song that depicts how we all follow one another for the greater good.  I love the 3rd verse and the third rendition of I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.

Carry your Candle by Kathy Troccoli is one of my all time favorites, not just during Lent.  To me, it means paying attention to  your brother and sisters of the world and trying to realize what they are going through and helping them if you can.  If that's not "following" then I don't know what the term follow means.   It's a very powerful song.  I remember playing a recording of this song to a group of Hospice volunteers.  We can all carry our candle every day.

A Steve Angrisano song comes to mind right now.   He has such a gentle and comforting voice and the melodies are so soothing and inspring.  Here's one of his songs.    My Soul is Thirsting.   

I learned at Mass this Sunday that Eucharist is derived from Eucharistine, meaning to give thanks in Latin.  
So, to sign out for tonight.  Malo, Malo Thanks be to God.

Check out Jesse Manibusan with Open my Eyes 
Nothing is beyond You...

Until tomorrow night, are we called to serve?

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