Exaltation of the Cross and Basil [Fr. Z]

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I think I shall make some fresh pesto tomorrow for the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross… 2nd anniversary of Summorum Pontificum.

I found this on Vultus Christi:

http://www.wdtprs.com/images/09_09_14_basil.jpgThe aromatic herb, basil (Ocimum basilicum) has long been associated with the Holy Cross.

Etymologically, it is related to basileios, the Greek word for king. [Great connection!]

According to a pious legend, the Empress Saint Helena found the location of the True Cross by digging for it under a colony of basil. Basil plants were reputed to have sprung up at the foot of the Cross where fell the Precious Blood of Christ and the tears of the Mother of Sorrows.

A sprig of basil was said to have been found growing from the wood of the True Cross.

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross it is customary in the East to rest the Holy Cross on a bed of basil before presenting it to the veneration of the faithful.

Also, from the practice in some areas of strewing branches of basil before church communion rails, it came to be known as Holy Communion Plant Blessed basil leaf can be arranged in a bouquet at the foot of the crucifix; the dried leaves can also be used by the faithful as a sacramental.

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.

Let us pray.

Almighty and merciful God,
deign, we beseech You, to bless
Your creature, this aromatic basil leaf. +
Even as it delights our senses,
may it recall for us the triumph of Christ, our Crucified King
and the power of His Precious Blood
to purify and preserve us from evil
so that, planted beneath His Cross,
we may flourish to Your glory
and spread abroad the fragrance of His sacrifice.
Who is Lord forever and ever.

R. Amen.

The bouquets of basil leaf are sprinkled with Holy Water.

Post from: WDTPRS

Exaltation of the Cross and Basil

Full entry…
 
In our church we place the Cross on a bed of basil and roses for veneration.
 
I didn’t know there was a blessing of basil in the Latin Church on the Feast of the Holy Cross!

How cool!
 
Glory to Jesus Christ!
I think I shall make some fresh pesto tomorrow for the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross… 2nd anniversary of Summorum Pontificum.

I found this on Vultus Christi:

http://www.wdtprs.com/images/09_09_14_basil.jpgThe aromatic herb, basil (Ocimum basilicum) has long been associated with the Holy Cross…
Full entry…

Wonderful! So many of the Latin church’s rich traditions around Feast Days have been lost to general use in our Church. Individual families and a few parishes keep them. In my Latin parish great feast days like the Nativity of the Theotokos last week, and the Exaltation of the Cross today pretty much go by barely discernible from another day and Mass in Ordinary time. (And I do know the meaning of “ordinary” in “Ordinary time”. :)) I’m sure Fr. Z’s parish is all the richer for his bringing in other layers like this to his celebration of the Feast.

EWTN continues to carry Joanna Bogle’s wonderful programs Feasts and Seasons. I’ve learned a lot of wonderful western Catholic traditions from it and the book that goes along with it.

I love pesto! You’ve posted on the Eastern Catholic section, and today is a strict fast day in which case under those guidelines pesto would be reserved until tomorrow. 🙂 I came home last night with a blood red pom-pom chrysanthemum from the Festal Vigil. The other flowers surrounding the Sacred Icon and distributed were roses. Not good for pesto. I do have some basil still growing in my yard, barely. A good reason to plant more next summer! Will see if the Farmer’s market at my corner tomorrow morning will have enough for pesto.

Thanks again for sharing this!​
 
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