BLESSING OF FLOWERS TRADITION FOR THE ASSUMPTION OF OUR LADY(15th August 2009)
The Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady into heavon is full of tradition here in Füssen and most of the German speaking countries.As well as being a Holyday of Obligation in the Diocese of Augsburg,it is also the day when herb bunches are made by the Catholic Woman's Organisation.These bunches are given to members of the congregation who are expected to make a freewill offering which supports the activities for the young servers in the Parish.
The herbs are blessed at the end of Mass and at most of the Masses in the Parish on The Assumption this ancient tradition is carried out.
It has its origins in pagan activities that associated the herbs with certain Gods.When the Christian faith taook over this the stress was laid on the healling properties of some of the herbs which comes from the Creator.As herbs tended to be replaced by modern medicines,in many places the Blessing of Herbs" was dropped.However many kept to tradition and even now many elderly can remember the usefullness of some of the healing herbs.In fact herbal remedies are making a comeback worldwide.Also belief in the Saviour spread with Christianity and the herbs are taken home and hung up to dry after they have been blessed.It is hoped that the blessing and continous prayer will help to protect those living in the house from illness as well as lightning and other natural catastrophes.So what was a pagan tradition was transferred by prayer and belief into one praising the Creator and giving thanks for His many blessings.
The Assumption of Our Blessed Lady into Heaven is chosen as one story has it that when Our Lady died  when they came to check her body 3 days after the burial nothing but flowers and the sweet smell of herbs were found.