Rosary Garden at St. Mary's to be dedicated Aug. 13, 2000

 

 

By Lorraine Kiefer

MALAGA - A garden of love and beauty can be found where Routes 40 and 47 intercept in the small town of Malaga, where a new rosary garden is part of St. Mary's Parish.

Father Jerome Romanowski , pastor, said that the project, once a dream. became a reality through tile diligent planning and hard work of the committee and other parish helpers. The committee includes members Theresa DiMatteo. Cindy Merckx and Doris Ruppel. Several of tire parish youth can be seen working on the garden also. Donations of time and money by many parishioners and friends as well as tile spiritual guidance and inspiration of the pastor also helped make the garden a reality. St. Mary's has been designated a Jubilee church for the year 2000. This garden, part of the year's celebration, contains a statue of our Lady of the Rosary to greet all who visit, as well as a fountain and pool, several arbors, benches and plaques depicting the joyful, sorrowful and glorious mysteries. The symbolism of the plants dedicated to Mary and used in this rosary garden can be traced to ancient times. The many roses found in the garden are emblematic of her purity, glory and sorrow as well as an attribute to her as Queen of Heaven. Roses also depict her love for God, for Christ her son, and for all humankind. In the garden at St. Mary 's the colors of the roses are meaningful with the pink rose representing children, red love of Mary, and white her purity. Ornamental grasses are quite popular now. but one of tile earliest grasses cultivated is an attractive variegated grass once called Our Lady 's Ribbons These can be seen in the garden. Another favorite garden plant that grows in semi shaded gardens. abounding with tall beautiful blooms is Digitalis or foxgloves In olden days grew wild and was called Our Lady’s Glove. The dainty spring violet was called Our Lady’s modesty. 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                        Photo by James A. McBride

Father Jerome Romanowski, pastor, stands with Doris Ruppel, middle, and Cindy Merckx in the rosary garden which is currently being designed at St. Mary's Parish, Malaga. A dedication ceremony will be held Aug. 13.

It is said that St. Bernard described Our Lady as the Violet of Humility. The ground cover Vinca minor, or periwinkle is often called Stella Maris in sea faring countries where Mary is often called Star of the Sea.

Lilies are associated with Mary for her purity and also because the angel Gabriel is often pictured carrying a lily when he told her God had chosen her to be the Mother of Christ. Lilies of the valley are said to have sprung when her tears fell at the foot of the cross.

In medieval times, legends about flowers and herbs often dated back to the first century and the early Christians. These stories were used to instruct the people about their faith. Many hymns and poems call Mary the flower of heaven.

Other unique features of the rosary garden are the plaques that represent each of the mysteries. In the garden of the Joyful mysteries are the Annunciation, Visitation, Birth of Jesus, Presentation, and Finding Jesus in the Temple. In the Sorrowful garden there are the Agony in the Garden, the Scourging at the Pillar, Crowning of Thorns, Carrying of the Cross and the Crucifixion. In the Glorious garden are plaques for the Resurrection of our Lord, Ascension of our Lord, Descent of the Holy Spirit, Assumption of Mary and the Coronation of Mary Queen of. Heaven.

 

Family visits to the rosary garden are encouraged.

 

When asked how the garden came about, Father Romanowski said, "Inspiration came through the Jubilee year, a year of grace and a blessing from Our Lord and his Blessed Mother to the people of St. Mary for their devotion".

All are invited to be part of the feast day celebration and garden dedication on Aug. 13. There will be a procession to the garden following the 11:30 a.m. Mass. After the 6 p.m. Mass that evening there will be a candle procession to the garden. Throughout the day there will be food and special events on the church grounds. Call the rectory at 694 -2576 for more information.