The word “transplant,” both verb and noun, is from Late Latin, transplantare, trans–“across” + plantare “to plant”. It means to move from one place and place to another…remove, uproot, reorient, shift. We gardeners do this often for the health of the plant, for better balance in the landscape, or to open up space for other good things. In anticipation of the uprooting, we plan accordingly. The best transplanting is done when a plant is healthy and the season is right.... Read more
Lord Jesus, in your wisdom and limitless love you you have planted the seed of service in all of us.We pray at this time you will kindle in the hearts of women the desire to follow you into a consecrated religious life. In the quiet of their discerning give them assurance in answering yes, the peace in their decision. Give to them whom you call grace to accept their vocation readily and thankfully, to make the whole-hearted surrender which you ask of them, and... Read more
After three weeks away from social media, and limited on-line work, I feel refreshed and ready to write. A special thank you goes out to the people that kept my blog going while I was retreating. Marty Rymarz, an oblate brother and upcoming writer, was kind enough to write two main posts, A Walk through the Garden, and Feast day of St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower. Not an easy thing for a man working full time, attending Sacred... Read more
October is a lovely time of year for dividing and transplanting in your gardens. The urgency of spring gives way to a slower pace of planning. There are many reasons to divide perennials: to keep them healthy and free of diseases, to have more plants, keep them contained to an area, to open up space. Many perennials grow quickly and develop clumps. If the clumps are not divided every 3-4 years, the centers can die out. (Note: with many ornamental... Read more
As we celebrate today’s Memorial of the Guardian Angels, we remember in prayer our priests: Heavenly Father, your son Jesus Christ taught his disciples with the words, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” We pray today for our priests, our spiritual shepherds. May they linger in the embrace of your love, secure in the knowledge that... Read more
On this first day of October, as we take our daily walk through the prayer garden, it seems so very appropriate that the Saint of the day is St. Therese of Lisieux. A Carmelite nun, St. Therese is, of course, lovingly known as the “Little Flower” and is the patron saint of florists. As someone who lived relatively recently, at the end of the 19th century, St. Therese’s story is very well known. Her devotion to praying for others, especially... Read more
For the nuns and sisters suffering in the many war-torn lands of our Earth, we pray this prayer written by Thomas Merton: “Grant light, grant strength and patience to all who work for peace. But grant us above all to see that our ways are not necessarily your ways, that we cannot fully penetrate the mystery of your designs and that the very storm of power now raging on this earth reveals your hidden will and your inscrutable decision. Grant... Read more
When I plant containers of bulbs in the fall, I am thinking about the color they will bring indoors during late winter days or as outdoor focal points early next spring. To force a bulb means that you are manipulating its environment so that it will bloom out of season. Before spring flowering bulbs can be forced to flower in a container, they require a cold period of 12-15 weeks at temperatures between 38°-48°. This allows production of a good... Read more
O Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ and Mother of priests, accept this title which we bestow on you to celebrate your motherhood and to contemplate with you the priesthood of, your Son and of your sons, O holy Mother of God. O Mother of Christ, to the Messiah-priest you gave a body of flesh through the anointing of the Holy Spirit for the salvation of the poor and the contrite of heart; guard priests in your heart and in... Read more
For those of you taking your daily walk through the beautiful prayer garden that is Margaret Realy’s blog post, you may notice a different gardener today. As Margaret is on retreat for a few weeks, she has very kindly allowed me to help tend to her garden while she is away. As an Oblate novice at the same monastery as Margaret, I have been blessed to become friends with her and see her daily blogs. For me, reading her daily... Read more
Morning Rose Prayer Gardens
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