Sips and Noshes

Rosemary: During the Holy Family’s escape into Egypt, it is said Mary rested under a rosemary bush and spread her cloak on it to dry. The flowers miraculously changed from white to the blue of Mary’s cloak.

 

Lavender: It is said Mary washed Jesus’ clothes and hung them on a gray bush of lavender. The dried clothes smelled sweet and clean and the bushes were fragrant with the scent that lavender now has.

 

Juniper: When Herod’s soldiers pursued Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus, the frightened donkey upon which they rode ran at nearly full gallop toward a giant juniper tree. Miraculously, it is said the tree opened up its branches like arms and enfolded them, concealing them from the soldiers.

 

Mint: An herb often dedicated to the Virgin Mary, its common names include Our Lady’s Mint, Mary’s Mint, Mary’s Leaf, Lady’s Leaf, or Sage of Bethlehem. Mint was strewn on the floors of churches and banquet halls in the Middle Ages to furnish a pleasant odor.