The Holy Cross and the Basil Plant

Today, September 14, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The liturgical color is red.

The herb basil, which should be in every sacristan’s garden, is associated with the Cross. The word basil is related to the Greek word for king and is associated with Christ the King. There are various traditions connecting basil to St. Helena's discovery of the True Cross. It is said that a sprig of the fragrant plant was found growing from the sacred Wood.

Image: Ocymum basilicum, from Wikimedia Commons. Pursuant to Free License.

Feast of the Holy Name of Mary

 

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Today, September 12, is the traditional feast day of the Holy Name of Mary.

As stated in an old Missal published in 1959, "The feast was instituted by Pope Innocent XI to commemorate a victory over the Turks at the walls of Vienna in 1683.  After the Holy Name of Jesus, no name is so dear to every Christian as that of Mary, His Mother and our Mother.  By invoking it we shall obtain protection, light and strength."

You can read more about the feast day at Fountain of Elias.

A conservative priest once explained to me that "Mar" is an honorific.

As for altar or home devotional space floral arrangements for this day, see the Introibo with Flowers post on Altar Flowers for Marian Feasts. 

 

Also see the Introibo post Tulips and Lilies for the Holy Name of Mary. 

The Birth of the Virgin

Tomorrow, September 8 -- nine months after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 -- the Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In a reflection on the birth of Mary at Tradition in Action, Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira notes:

“Scripture tells us that the tunic that Our Lord wore was a source of grace that cured those who touched it; this being the case, you can imagine how Our Lady, the Mother of the Savior, was a source of graces for whosoever would approach her . . . For this reason we can say that at her nativity, immense graces began to shine for mankind and the Devil started to be smashed. He perceived that his scepter had been cracked and would never be the same again."

 As for church flowers forGe this feast, see Gemma's Altar Flowers for Marian Feasts here.

Image:
Zurbarán’s, “Birth of the Virgin”, from Wikimedia Commons. In the public domain.