Say it with Flowers
The congregation of St Ismaels church, Rosemarket, have been finding innovative ways to engage with their community and celebrate God’s creation using roses. Churchwarden Tracy Ashcroft explains…
The importance of sustainability and ecological awareness has become more prominent in our society and people are increasingly seeking alternatives that are both eco-friendly and spiritually meaningful. In Rosemarket we been using dried home-grown rose petals, blessed by a Priest, as wedding confetti and potpourri.
The rose has long been revered as a symbol of love, purity, and spirituality. Its delicate yet enchanting fragrance captivates our senses and evokes a sense of beauty and grace. Weddings are celebrations steeped in tradition which nonetheless give opportunities to incorporate eco-friendly practices. Blessing petals in St. Ismael's Church added another layer of beauty and symbolism to the service and promoted eco-spirituality.
The delicate blooms, grown by us and blessed by a priest with heartfelt prayers, certainly hold a special significance for parishioners and, we hope, when gifted to the bride-to-be are a symbol of love and devotion in a unique and meaningful gesture. These beautiful petals can decorate the pews or altar or can be confetti during the wedding celebration. Potpourri from these roses has a lasting, enchanting aroma and makes a great keepsake. These flowers, created within the walls of our Church, add natural elegance and remind us that love is rooted in faith and community.
Easy Homemade Rose Potpourri Recipe:
You will need:
Around a dozen scented roses
A large baking tray
Sealable glass container
Essential oils if wished.
Spread the rose petals in a thin layer over the tray. You can also experiment with drying some whole roses or rose buds. Next, either place the petals in a warm, dark, dry spot for 2-3 days or in a very cool oven (as cool as your oven will go) until dried. Once the petals have dried, place in a glass jar. At this stage, you can also add spices (such as cinnamon or cloves) or dried rosemary or lavender to personalise your scent.
Close the container and gently shake. Leave the container in a warm spot for 24 hours and then open to enjoy the scent.