Customer Reviews

Mary's Flowers: Gardens, Legends, and Meditations (Living Legends of Our Lady)

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At my mother's death, one of our children suggested we begin growing a "Mary Garden". Not knowing much about this, I did some research on line and kept bumping into references to this book. So, I ordered it. I was NOT disappointed!!! It's kind of an anchor piece to the concept of Mary gardens. Not only are the paintings of species lovely and stylized, but the legends about how these flowers relate to Mary dear; the description of suggested flowers help to chose when and where to plant, and the presentation of material makes the book a pleasure to hold. Right now it's being passed around to friends who are also intrigued by the concept.... to their delight. I love this book.

Well researched , well illustrated , good print , easy to read , and I would say a " Must have " for any person interested in getting closer in their relationship to God through having a Mary Garden or even observing one .

Mary's Flowers was a keeper from the time I opened the box. The cover drew me to the book, and as I skipped through the pages I knew for once in my life I had to begin on page one and continue.........not my usual way......I begin in the back........the drawings are magnificent, the stories fascinating and the relativity between the flowers and the Blessed Virgin truly inspiring. The book is one of the highlights of my collection. I only wish I had written it.... JoKay Miltenberger Arcanum OH

937-678-0185 redcow@bright.net

The monks of the middle ages can be heard singing Ave Maria, Ave Maria from the glossy, A. Joseph Barrish, S. M. illustrated pages of the St. Martha Parish-Wide Bulletin Book Club December Selection. Barrish, working with Schoenstatt Sister of Mary, M. Jean Frisk, has created a brilliant reminiscence of the time of incense and flowers in the Roman Catholic Church. Frisk, who holds a masters in Theology with Marian Concentration and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology, gives us legends and meditations to ponder as we look at Barrish's stunning, full-page illustrations of dozens of flowers that bear a name or a mythical relationship to the Mother of Christ.
This selection leads us through our shared Christian spirituality in the natural beauty around us through a history of flower legends and names using flowers of the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, Presentation, Flight into Egypt, Maternity of Mary, Mary as Homemaker, Mary at the Cross, and Devotion Rewarded.
Among the legends told in mystery plays of the medieval times is that of Madelon who having nothing to give the Babe Jesus was led by the Angel Gabriel to roses blooming at the girl's feet. "The French poet, Emile Blemont, ended his story of Madelon with this quotation: Though thou art poor and hast no gold to bring, Though ice-bound earth no Heaven-sent flowers bestows, Yet give thy heart this Noel to thy King. This is the Legend of the Christmas Rose." (p. 48)
In addition to an excellent appendix, index, and bibliography of gardens and plant listings, this book also is a personal Mary Garden planner. Just in time for Chistmas gift exchanges to allow you to give more knowledge of Faith in a vibrant, beautiful, and interesting way. This quality publication gives artistically, as Christian art has, to those who enjoy studying the nobility of the world around them, as well as to those who plant gardens! (St. Martha, Okemos, Michigan Foundations in Adult Education, Fr. Jon Wehrle, Pastor)

Beautifully written and illustrated, this book inspired me to plan my own garden with some of the flowers it mentions. The botanical watercolors are practically a garden in themselves! A great resource for gardeners.

Beautiful illustrations. I used information to design a Mary Garden in memory of my mother Margaret McGill. I also gave a copy to an Irish Catholic friend named Mary.

anyone planing a Mary Garden, this book is a must! everything you need to know. it dosen't overwhelm you with too much information. i am a backyard gardener, not a botanist. it is enjoyable and informative at the same time. i purchased one for myself and love to give it as a gift.

An inspiring book for gardeners who til their soil this spring. I plan to replant a section of my garden because of this book. I will devote this land to Mary and St. Francis...

why cant you make this book cheeper or at the same price this book is called mary's flowers, please if you want more people to by your books make them cheeper!