Thursday, July 30, 2009

Holy Hearts



Dutch words: "Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart. I give you my life."


Another treasure from Micki at Holy Cards for your Inspiration. I could not resist posting again here in honor of the holy hearts of Jesus and His earthly parents. Enjoy.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Catholic independant film company

"Our Lady's Tears"
Official logo commissioned by Matthew Alderman

Ok, my husband has been at me for awhile to post a link here to our new independant film company's website, not surprisingly named "Our Lady's Tears Productions" My husband and I prayerfully discerned our calling to found this company to make authentically Catholic films for wide distribution. Our first film is entitled Requiem of a Soul and is the life story of St. Germaine Cousin. Go HERE to view our newly launched website. We have completed a 30 min short film and plan to complete an entire feature length movie once we have the funds. A trailer can be viewed on the site.

I ask of you the following:

~ Please pray for our company

~ If you or anyone you know is interested in investing in Catholic film making, please contact us via our contact information on the site.

~ Please post links to our site on your blogs/websites/etc to help spread the word and hopefully generate interest.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Mary Gardens IV

More flowers which have a rich and beautiful tradition of symbolism of Mary's sorrows and tears. Go HERE for much, much more information. I went to this website and found also the following:


Mary's (torn) Tresses (of Hair)
- recalling the popular folk tradition that Mary tore out locks of her hair in her agonizing sorrow at the foot of the Cross.

Ladie's Tresses



(photo credit)

"This is one of Illinois' native and endangered orchids. This little orchid is only about 4 inches tall."

Maidenhair Fern


(photo credit)

Slim, grouped leaves which resemble tresses of a ladie's hair.


Yellow Bedstraw or Galium verum

Resembles clusters of blond hair. With this name, must have been used in medieval Europe as a bedding.

Asparagus Fern



The resemblance to long locks of hair for this plant is rather obvious.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Mary Gardens III

More flowers depicting Mary's tears, which fell at the foot of her Son's cross. According to pious legend, there sprang from the earth flowers in the shape of tears. If you are a gardening sort, consider planting some of these flowers near your home in honor of Mary's Tears, shed on your behalf.


Job's Tears plant: Round tear-like seeds. Commonly used for stringing Rosary beads, and thus known also as Lagrimas de Rosario or Rosary Tears



Larkspur: tear-like buds




Sundew: tear-like drops of rain water on flower filaments



Lungwort: blue flower eyes, with reddish buds,

seen together to symbolize Mary's eyes red from crying.



Our Lady as she appeared to the seers of La Salette, France

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Mary Gardens II

Mary's Tears

This pious tradition comes to us from legends that flowers with tear-drop resemblance sprang up where Mary's tears fell on the ground at the foot of the Cross.






Virginia Spiderwort: blue tear-like fluid from spent blooms





Ladie's Mantle: drops of water remaining on leaves from rain


Lily of the Valley: small tear-like white blooms



Gromwell: A British common wildflower with small tear-like blooms




Quaking Grass: tear-like seed clumps



O Jesus, behold the tears of the one who loved Thee most on earth, and who loves Thee most ardently in heaven! Amen+

Friday, July 3, 2009

Mary Gardens

I have just recently discovered an old and beautiful tradition of honoring our Lady with what is known as a Mary Garden. This garden is grown with flowers said to represent the Blessed Virgin Mary. This practice is steeped in time and tradition. Here's more:

The Flowers of Mary's Sorrows

Most frequently grown in Mary Gardens are: Mary's Sword of Sorrow:




Iris with "spear like" foilage

(photo credit)

- from Simeon's prophecy to Mary at the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple that her soul would be pierced by a sword that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.



"25And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: 29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; 30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: 32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; 35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed."


~Luke chapter 2 verses 25 to 35.



Amen+