Iris Shows and Constancy

 This year's Iris show included a rainy tour of area gardens by bus followed by an auction and dinner. The girls made their displays choosing an around the world or down by the station theme. The Iris were given to the residents of St Agnes Home at the end of the show. 

Horticulture Entries

Photography Auction Entries

Box Lunch Break

Making  Floriculture Displays

Manning the Plant Sales

Garden Tour

Dinner

Auction

Ready for St Agnes

The girls had another opportunity to hone their floriculture skills at the Iris show at the Missouri Botanical Gardens on Mother's Day. 

Wreath 5: Lesson 8

Virtue: Constancy Saint:Marian de Paredes

Verse: “This saying is trustworthy: if we have died with him we shall also live with him.”

 -2 Timothy:11

St Mariana de Paredes (1618-1645) lived in what is now Quito, Ecuador. Her parents were Spanish Nobels and she was their 8th child but was orphaned at a young age. She lived as a hermit in her older sister’s home, praying and fasting in her room, living almost entirely on the Eucharist alone. She became a Third Order Franciscan. Many miracles were attributed to her. She died shortly after her town suffered an earthquake and epidemic. At her funeral, a lily is said to have sprouted up where a drop of her blood hit the ground, proving her sanctity. She was from then on called the Lily of Quito and became the first saint from Ecuador. Her feast day is May 26 and she is the patron of Ecuador. 

Constancy is the virtue by which we continue to strive, toil and do good works despite obstacles or setbacks. It goes along with fortitude and helps us create habits of character. Constancy is staying on the path of holiness no matter the temptations and distractions that get in our way. Trusting in God’s plan for us and relying on his grace through the sacraments and prayer can help us grown in this virtue.