By Jane Valencia
In Catholic faith tradition, flowers have a treasured place in devotions to Our Blessed Mother Mary. Since the earliest centuries of the faith, flowers (and other plants and trees) have served as nature’s “icons” – expressing the virtues, character, and mysteries of Our Lady, as well as other spiritual truths and tales.
Two years ago on a walk along pondside trail, my mom Joyce Kiefer (whose poem “Light Show” appears in this issue) and I came upon our Pacific Northwest native Violet, Viola sempervens, or Evergreen Violet. This lovely species of violet grows in woodlands, and here was a whole tiny colony of them strung alongside the path. They are low-growing, with heart-shaped leaves. May is one of the two months of the liturgical year devoted to Our Mother Mary, and violet carries Mary lore.
Mary’s Humility
Called variously, “Mary’s Modesty” or “Mary’s Humility,” one tale is that at Christ’s crucifixion, the purple violet bowed her head in sorrow when the shadow of the cross fell upon her, and has remained that way ever since. In the liturgy, purple is the color of Advent and preparation, but also of Lent, and for the Masses for the dead.
Violet is also a flower of the Annunciation. Upon witnessing the Virgin Mary’s humble acceptance of the Archangel Gabriel’s message, and her yes to God’s divine plan, Violet blossomed outside Our Lady’s window.
Dixit autem Maria: Ecce ancilla Domini. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.
And Mary said: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to thy word”- Luke 1:38
A litany is a prayer, generally call-and-response, that is a series of invocations or supplications. What follows is a poem and an “herbal litany,” inspired by my mother’s and my walk in the woods.
Evergreen Violet
by Jane Valencia
As in the old fairy tales
I find myself wandering
the dark and tangle of the woods.
Violets line a trail
and we witness Blessed Mary as she passes by
Perhaps on the way to someone’s Calvary.
As she passes, your face is an illumination
miniature yellow petals reflect her sun.
Your surrender to Divine Love
awakens joy in the depth of a hardened heart
From the dry spring
a gentle stream flows
Litany:
Violet, This is your medicine –
some of it anyway:
Lymph mover
Relaxing nervine
Demulcent
Mineral rich, food-like
Leaves and flowers in foods, tea, tinctures, vinegars, and honeys
(we do not include your roots)
Safe for infants and elderly, children, and the delicate
Softener of cysts,
Soother of coughs and sore throats
One who eases headaches
Soother of fears, anger, irritability, and vindictiveness
Comforter to those suffering long-held trauma
Intercessor for those in implacable situations
Consoler of those caught in unmoving grief
Little handmaid to Mary,
We, who meet you in the garden and woodlands,
and who welcome you in windowsill planters, and
in our herbal pantry,
proclaim you.
Blessings upon your virtues, sweetness, and being
Violet, oh, small one
in the way that herbs do,
lend your healing to our bodies
lend your healing to our minds
lend your healing to our hearts
lend your healing to our spirits
Violet,
Thank you and God for your gifts.
“The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily
do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm.
If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.”
― St. Thérèse of Lisieux
For more information on Violet’s herbal medicine:
Sálchuach – The Many Aspects of Violet by Kiva Rose Hardin
How to Make Violet Syrup & Violet Health Benefits by Rosalee de la Forêt
Herbal note: On Vashon, if you wish to gather violets for food or remedies, please harvest garden violets, and not our native violets. I have encountered few of our native violets on the Island.
