12F l o w e r s

t h a t s p e a k o fO u r L a d y

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OUR LADY'SF l o w e r s

P r e s e n t i n g

In an age of greater love for the Christian faith,nature was seen to praise the virtues of heaven'ssaints - especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here arejust twelve of the thousands of plants the faithfulhave named after the Queen of Heaven and Earth,and the pious beliefs they associated with them.

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VIOLET

O u r L a d y ' sM o d e s t y

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VIOLETT h e P i o u s L e g e n d

M a r y ' s M o d e s t y

This low-lying plant was often associated withhumility and became known as Our Lady's Modesty.It was said to have blossomed when the Virgin Marysaid to the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation,"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord."

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COLUMBINE

O u r L a d y ' sS l i p p e r s

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COLUMBINET h e P i o u s L e g e n d

M a r y ' s S l i p p e r s

The spurred flower of this plant resembles alittle dove and came to symbolize the Holy Spirit.Columbine is said to have sprung up whereverMary’s foot touched the earth as she was on herway to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, at the Visitation.

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OX-EYE DAISY

O u r L a d y ’ sS t a r

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OX-EYE DAISYT h e P i o u s L e g e n d

M a r y ' s S t a r

When the Wise Men reached the village of Bethlehem,they looked for a further sign. Suddenly King Melchiorsaw a strange white and gold flower that looked like thestar that had led them to Bethlehem. As he bent to pick it,the door of a stable opened and he saw the Holy Family.

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SNOWDROP

O u r L a d y ' sP u r i t y

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SNOWDROPT h e P i o u s l e g e n d

M a r y ' s P u r i t y

Snowdrops were called the Flower of Purificationbecause they bloomed in early February near theFeast of the Purification of Mary. Also calledCandlemas Bells, this was also the day of thePresentation of Baby Jesus in the Jerusalem temple.

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JUNIPER

O u r L a d y ' sS h e l t e r

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JUNIPERT h e P i o u s L e g e n d

M a r y ' s S h e l t e r

It is said that the juniper bush saved the life of theinfant Jesus during the Holy Family's flight intoEgypt. As the soldiers pursued them, a juniper bushgrowing nearby opened up its thick branches toprovide them hiding and shelter until the soldiers left.

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MARIGOLD

O u r L a d y ' sG o l d

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MARIGOLDT h e P i o u s L e g e n d

M a r y ' s G o l d

It is said that during the Holy Family's flight to Egyptthey were accosted by robbers. When they opened Mary'spurse they found these buds. In medieval days the poorwould leave marigold blossoms at the feet of Our Ladyinstead of gold coins. The flower also symbolizes the raysof light that surround the Blessed Virgin in her glory.

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SEA PINK - THRIFT

O u r L a d y ' sC u s h i o n

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SEA PINK - THRIFTT h e P i o u s l e g e n d

M a r y ' s C u s h i o n

It is said that on their flight into Egypt, these softblossoms became a seat cushion for the BlessedVirgin Mary to rest upon, weary from her travels.

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FUSCHIA

O u r L a d y ' sE a r - D r o p s

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FUSCIAT h e P i o u s l e g e n d

M a r y ' s E a r - D r o p s

The gently drooping flowers resemble ear-drops, orpendant earrings. It is said that the Child Jesus, whileat play, hung these flowers on his mother's ears.

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LILY OF THE VALLEY

O u r L a d y ' sT e a r s

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LILY OF THE VALLEYT h e P i o u s L e g e n d

M a r y ' s T e a r s

When viewed from a distance, the white flowers ofthis plant give the appearance of teardrops falling.It was said that when Mary wept at the foot of theCross, her tears fell to the ground and turned into thetiny fragrant blossoms of this early spring plant.

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IRIS - SWORD LILY

O u r L a d y ' sS o r r o w s

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IRIS - SWORD LILYT h e P i o u s l e g e n d

M a r y ' s S o r r o w s

The Iris, also known and the Sword Lily, has a shapethat symbolizes the swords of sorrow which piercedMary's heart on account of her Divine Son. This floweris the pattern of the Fleur-di-Lis symbol of Our Lady.

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ASSUMPTION LILY

O u r L a d y ' sA s s u m p t i o n

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ASSUMPTION LILYT h e P i o u s l e g e n d

M a r y ' s A s s u m p t i o n

The Assumption Lily blossoms in August near theFeast of the Assumption with a tall flower thatreaches up to the sky. It is said that when the bodyof Our Lady was assumed into heaven, left behindin the tomb were white lilies and roses.

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ROSE

t h e M y s t i c a lR o s e

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ROSET h e P i o u s l e g e n d

M a r y t h e M y s t i c a l R o s e

The Virgin Mary is associated with the biblical Roseof Sharon. As the rose is considered the queen of allflowers, it is closely associated with Mary, Queen ofHeaven and Earth. It is said that the ancient whiteRosa Alba turned pink when Mary blushed at theangel's greeting at the Annunciation.

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MAKEYOUR OWN

M a r y G a r d e n

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B e c a u s e F a i t h M a t t e r s

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While pious legends, these stories convey deeperspiritual realities that are, nevertheless, true. Incorporate these plants into your Mary Gardento create a prayerful place of meditation at home.

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