What’s In a Name?

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.”- William Shakespeare

In the garden of life, roses stand as timeless symbols of love, beauty, and grace. For centuries, the rose has been a symbol of mystery. In the catacombs of St. Callistus (third century), Christians drew roses as a sign of paradise.

As you walk through the hundreds of blooming plants in our garden, you may ask yourself, “where are all the roses?” Amongst all the fresh blooms you are very unlikely to find roses. Surprisingly, Mystical Rose Gardens is not named after physical rose flowers but after The Blessed Virgin Mary. As the rose is considered the queen of flowers, Mary is Queen of All Saints. As described by sacred writers, she is the “mystical rose without thorn,” the “rose of paradise,” and the “rose bringing salvation to all who call upon her.”

In the Catholic Church, the rose has been associated with Mary since ancient times. The Latin phrase Rosa Mystica translates to “Mystical Rose” and represents Mary as the epitome of grace, beauty, and purity.

Perhaps much like the flower of delicate petals and intoxicating fragrance, Mystical Rose is inviting us to pause amidst the chaos of life, to remind us that even in the darkest of times, beauty still blooms and love always finds a way.

Reference:
https://www.catholicculture.org/
https://www.piercedhearts.org/