Less than two weeks ago we celebrated the greatest of all feasts dedicated to Mary: that of her assumption into heaven. One ancient custom associated with the feast is the blessing of herbs, especially in German speaking lands.
According to the Directory of Popular Piety the custom “represents a clear example of the genuine evangelisation of pre-Christian rites and beliefs: one must turn to God (…) in order to obtain what was formerly obtained by magic rites”.
As early as the 10th century people would bring all kinds of cultivated and wild flowers to church on the day of Mary’s assumption. In some places the custom is continued until this day. The herbs are held by the congregation or placed on the altar while the priest blesses them before Mass.
One of the prayers from the Roman Ritual:
God, who on this day raised up to highest heaven the rod of Jesse, the Mother of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that by her prayers and patronage you might communicate to our mortal nature the fruit of her womb, your very Son;
we humbly implore you to help us use these fruits of the soil for our temporal and everlasting welfare, aided by the power of your Son and the prayers of His glorious Mother; through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Full blessing in Rituale Romanum
According to the Directory of Popular Piety the custom “represents a clear example of the genuine evangelisation of pre-Christian rites and beliefs: one must turn to God (…) in order to obtain what was formerly obtained by magic rites”.
As early as the 10th century people would bring all kinds of cultivated and wild flowers to church on the day of Mary’s assumption. In some places the custom is continued until this day. The herbs are held by the congregation or placed on the altar while the priest blesses them before Mass.
One of the prayers from the Roman Ritual:
God, who on this day raised up to highest heaven the rod of Jesse, the Mother of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, that by her prayers and patronage you might communicate to our mortal nature the fruit of her womb, your very Son;
we humbly implore you to help us use these fruits of the soil for our temporal and everlasting welfare, aided by the power of your Son and the prayers of His glorious Mother; through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Full blessing in Rituale Romanum
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