We do know some important facts about Mary’s life. We can read in the Gospels that Mary’s role was not just to give birth to Jesus and raise Him to adulthood. We are told that Mary was present at many points in Jesus’ life. She was there at her Son’s crucifixion and also present in the upper room at Pentecost. There are many traditions about Mary which, whilst not biblical, have been around for many centuries. There are records going back at least to the fifth century which show that teaching about Mary’s reception into heaven was considered an important part of the Christian tradition from very early on. It’s also interesting to note that today’s feast is celebrated not just by Catholics but also by all the Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Christians and even the Ethiopian Coptic Church.

August 15th – Matki Boskiej Zielnej – Mother of God of the Herbs Feast – Continuing a centuries-old tradition, Polish National Catholics will observe this Feast with a special Mass and blessing liturgy. Matki Boskiej Zielnej, or the Mother of God of the Herbs, was for our immigrant ancestors and for many of today’s Polish National Catholics, a day of thanksgiving when the first fruits of the harvest are properly offered to God. Herbs, flowers, wheat and vegetables are woven into wreaths and special bouquets. The bouquets, adorned with blue ribbons in Mary’s honor, are taken to the church for a blessing. Following the blessing, the bouquets are kept in the home as dried decorations enhancing the beauty of the interior; often they are hang on the porch, until the same day the following year.

Blessing of flowers and herbs will take place on Saturday, Aug. 15 before 9am Holy Mass and on Sunday, Aug. 16 during the Holy Mass at 11am.

The ark which God has sanctified,

Which He has filled with grace,
Within the temple of the Lord

Has found a resting-place.
More glorious than the seraphim,

This ark of love divine,

Corruption could not blemish her

Whom death could not confine.
God-bearing Mother, Virgin chaste,

Who shines in heaven’s sight;

She wears a royal crown of stars

Who is the door of Light.
To Father, Son and Spirit blest

may we give endless praise

With Mary, who is Queen of heaven,

Through everlasting days.

(from Stanbrook Abbey Hymnal)

Last night my little boy confessed to me some childish wrong;
And kneeling at my knee he prayed with tears;
“Dear God, make me a man, like Daddy – wise and strong; I know You can.”
Then while he slept, I knelt beside his bed,
Confessed my sins and prayed with low-bowed head;
“O God, make me a child, like my child here –
Pure, open, trusting Thee with faith sincere.” — Author unknown.

For all the things you’ve been to me,
My guardian and my guide;
For truths you have so gently taught
And all the tears you’ve dried;
For faith and understanding
When I faltered on my way,
I owe you more thanks, Mother,
Than words can ever say.

So on this day that’s set aside
Especially for you,
I send a wish for happiness
In everything you do.
May each hour bring you pleasure
Every day of every year –
For all things you’ve been to me,
I love you, Mother dear.

–Author unknown

Their hearts were heavy-laden –
Bowed down with deep despair –
But when they lifted tear-dimmed eyes,
Lo, Jesus was standing there.

They thought all hope had ended
With Calvary’s dying breath,
But they found a powerful Savior,
Triumphant over death!

On that wonderful Easter morning,
In a garden sweet with dew,
He came from the grave – a world to save –
To live and reign anew.

So oft in the midst of sorrows
When hope seems cold and dead.
With lifted eyes, we too may see
An empty tomb instead!

–Author unknown