Holy Herbs

Our family has become very interest in the growing of herbs for medicinal purposes.  One of us is actually doing their diploma on this subject.  Our garden is like a jungle which the hens absolutely love, but just when we were about to take the strimmer to all those awful weeds here don't we just find out that they are not weeds.  No.  These are God's healing gifts to us.

I have counted 33 times where herbs are mentioned in the Bible.
Genesis 1:29  And God said:  Behold I have given you every herb bearing seed upon the earth ... to be your meat.   


2 Machabees 5:27

But Judas Machabeus, who was the tenth, had withdrawn himself into a desert place, and there lived amongst wild beasts in the mountains with his company: and they continued feeding on herbs, that they might not be partakers of the pollution.



Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum)
Light green sprawling fluffy herb with clusters of airy yellow flowers. Our Lady is said to have prepared the Christ child's bed with this herb. Thereafter it was known as Our Lady’s Bedstraw, and the formerly white flower-heads turned to a golden hue. “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger... Colonials would also stuff pillows with Lady's Bedstraw to induces sleep with the honey-like vapors. 



Below is a recepe for Our Lady's Teacakes which I copied from a lovely site which is truely traditional catholic, a safe site with a lot of very interesting stuff - please go see it - I know you will be impressed:  http://the-pious-spinster.blogspot.com 


Our Lady's Teacake (Makes one 9" round cake)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 cup milk
1 tb. finely chopped fresh rosemary or 1-1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
2 eggs
4 tb. butter or 1/4 cup extra light olive oil
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
Optional: 1/2 tsp. salt

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the pan.
Combine the raisins, milk, and rosemary in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook gently for two minutes, then set aside to cool.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl until they are frothy, then stir in the butter and sugar. Mix well.
Stir and toss together the flour and baking powder (also the salt if you are using salt). Mix well, then add to the egg mixture and beat until the batter is smooth. It will be very stiff.
Add the cooled rosemary mixture and beat again until the batter is smooth.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove from the oven, and cool in the baking pan for 10 minutes, then turn onto a rack to finish cooling completely.

To serve: Garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary, if available.

Our Lady's Teacake (Makes one 9" round cake)

Now since we intend to do some herb growing and don't want to offend the hens we have decided to opt for raised beds and have found a great site here in Ireland where they can be ordered:   http://www.patchworkveg.com 










www.patchworkveg.com

A key to Heaven

After Father Paul Biére gave his sermon on humility today.  I stayed after Mass to read my humility prayer and then thought I put it up here: 
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world others may increase and I may decrease,Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.