August 15 marks the Feast of the Assumption of Blessed Mother Mary, widely celebrated over all of Christendom in commemoration of the Virgin’s ascension. In many parts of Europe today, it is still observed as a public holiday known as Assumption Day. This festival was traditionally celebrated long before it was adopted by the Catholic Church. In Italy, Ticino, and San Marino, it is to this day an important public holiday known as Ferragosto. Named after the Latin Feriae Augusti (the festivals of the Emperor Augustus), Ferragosto was introduced in 18 BC to celebrate a battle victory and the early harvest of the late summer season. In these modern times, it is customary for celebrants to close their homes and shops and go on holiday at this time of year.
The Feast of the Assumption has also been observed as Our Lady's Herb Day (or the Festival of Our Lady of the Harvest), which celebrates the gathering and consecration of herbs, grains, flowers, and fruits. This custom stems from the medieval tradition that placed Mother Mary as the overseer of all plant life. In Marian liturgies, Mary herself is often compared to flowers like lilies and roses known for their purity and beauty. Additionally, all the waters of the world are said to be blessed and transformed by Mother Mary into healing waters on the feast of her Assumption.
Our Lady’s Herb Day is the perfect day to enjoy the bounty of our harvests, and also to contemplate and connect with Mother Mary, who is the epitome of pure-hearted shakti, radiant love, and compassionate action; the advocate and protector of plants and trees, children, animals, and the infirm, who offers a most profound form of supreme comfort to all of her children.
Praise to our Blessed Mother in all her luminous forms and especially at this time, may we take time to offer deep bows and gratitude to blessed Mother Mary.
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Never was leaf so green, for you branched from the spirited blast of the quest of the saints.
When it came time for your boughs to blossom (I salute you!),
Your scent was like balsam distilled in the sun, and your flower made all spices fragrant.
Dry though they were, they burst into verdure.
You are the moon and the tides, and the mysteries of birth and death.
You are the star shine and passion’s witness.
You show us the way through the portal of despair into wholeness.
#19 O Viridissima Virga: Song to the Virgin, by Hildegard von Bingen, from Symphonia, translated by Barbara Newman.