The Feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for "Body of Christ") is the day on which the Catholic Church commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, it is celebrated annually on the church calendar on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, this year falling on June 8. Holy Eucharist in monstrance carried in procession in Kadzidło, Poland. Author photo. The feast day, called Boże Ciało in Polish, has been widely and solemnly celebrated in Poland since the 16th century and continues to this day. The Holy Eucharist is carried through the streets in a monstrance and stops at four different altars where it is venerated and adored. An important custom of the Feast of Corpus Christi was the weaving of wreaths as small as the palm of the hand made of different herbs. This was especially true in rural, agricultural villages and areas where herbs and plants could be grown in home gardens or found in nearby fields and meadows. In the Podlasie region, an area which runs along the Narew River in northeast Poland, the women wove nine small wreaths, each made from a different herb: thyme, hazelwort, stonecrop, lady's mantle, sundew, mint, rue, daisy, and periwinkle. Other plants which could also be used included lovage, sage and linden. Lady's Mantle in author's garden. Weaving a wreath made from Lady's Mantle for Corpus Christi. Images from Muzeum Rolnicztwa im. Ks. Krzysztofa Kluka in Ciechanowiec. The wreaths were hung on the 4 different altars and then taken to church where they stayed for the week following Corpus Christi. The wreathes were believed to gain strength and power due to their proximity to the Holy Eucharist. When the eight-day celebration of Corpus Christi was over, the blessed wreaths were taken home and served a variety of purposes. Healing infusions were prepared from the dry herbs of sage or linden for coughs, colds and sore throats. Some wreathes were placed under the foundation of a newly-built house to ward off evil spirits and protect the inhabitants who lived within. In Polish folklore it was said that when Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) called przywrotnik was thrown into the home fire, the smoke would disperse storm clouds that threatened the destruction of crops. ![]() Wreathes of Lady’s Mantle were hung above the entrance to the house, near windows and on the walls above holy pictures, believing that it protected the house against fire, storm and lightning strikes. Wreaths of Lady’s Mantle were also burned on hot coals, incensing sick people as well as ailing animals. Lady’s Mantle can easily be grown in the garden. As a perennial, it does well in shady areas and is quite hardy in cold temperature regions. If you just want to add the yellow-chartreuse flowers to a dry arrangement for your home altar perhaps, they hold up pretty well after hanging the stems upside down in an airy space for a few weeks.
For more on the flowers and plants once essential to the people of Poland available in: Polish Herbs, Flowers and Folk Medicine, Hippocrene Books, Inc. For more images on the making of Corpus Christi wreaths: muzeumrolnictwa.pl/aktualnosci/archiwum/rok-2018/wianki-w-oktawe-bozego-ciala
3 Comments
6/24/2023 01:11:02 am
Thanks for sharing! Very good Informative and useful! Keep up the great work.
Reply
micheal pevet
3/22/2025 07:40:28 am
NATURAL WAY TO GET HERPES1&2 CURED. If you have been looking for ways to naturally get rid of the herpes simplex virus from your body completely, then you are welcome to read further. Let's face reality here, you have tried so many counter drugs and you are confused, weak and angry because nothing seems to work. Good News For you my friend.... Yes, I came with good news that will liberate you from the pains and stress of herpes outbreak, you will get total cure from this virus using Dr. MOSES BUBA Herbal Methodology. Who is Dr. MOSES BUBA? You may ask. Dr. MOSES BUBA is a herbalist and a naturalist. He researched and identified some herbs and established a unique methodology to healing the human body using Herbal medicine that was confidently entrenched in his over 30 years of experience. According to him, he has the cure for so many diseases/virus like GENITAL HERPES, HIV, DIABETES, CANCER, HPV, HSV1&2, GENITAL WART, SHINGLES, VAGINAL INFECTION and so many more. You can reach Dr MOSES BBUBA on his email: [email protected] / WhatsApp +2349060529305 . You can also contact him through his website: https://bubaherbalmiraclem.wixsite.com/website. Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559577240930 . I am using this medium to inform everyone how to get treated of herpes using Dr MOSES BUBA recommended Herbal methodology.
Reply
Lilian Jose
4/5/2025 08:30:10 am
I want to use this opportunity to testify of the marvelous work of Dr. Odunga and how he has helped me in curing my sickness and bringing happiness into my life. I can really vouch for Dr. Odunga in herbal treatment. I was suffering from Cervical Cancer and infected with HPV 16. I used to have unusual vaginal bleeding and painful urination. There was nothing I could do until a childhood friend introduced me to Dr. Odunga Remedies. I spoke with him and ordered his recommended medication which was delivered to me through DHL. Immediately I began using herbal medicine, and within a week I couldn't feel any pain. It took me 2 weeks to finish the medicine and afterwards I was completely cured. I highly recommend that you order your herbal medication through Chief Dr. Odunga. Contact his email [email protected] OR What'sApp/Call him at +2348167159012
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
One of the biggest moments in my life was being able to sign for my very own library card. When I'm not reading, researching and writing I'm riding my bike, sewing or gardening. I love flea markets, folk art, and traveling to Poland.
Archives
April 2025
|