Flowers for Mary

On the feast of the Assumption, it is a traditional Polish custom to honor Our Lady with a special bouquet of herbs and flowers and to ask her intercession for blessings on their harvest. A friend recalls how the bouquet was taken to Assumption Day Mass and blessed by the priest. Afterwards, the bouquet was usually carried through their home and later dried.
 

Bouquet of flowers Herbs String Rubber band

1.Arrange flowers and herbs together.
[2. Trim flower stems even at bottom.]
3. Tie flowers and herbs together to hold herbs in place.
4. Place rubber band around bottoms of flower stems.
5. Hang upside down in a dark, dry but airy place for at least 3 weeks until dry.
6. When dry, add to the traditional bouquet Spanish moss, ribbon, or other decorations if desired.

The Polish people kept their bouquet until replaced the following year.

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