Fruits and Herbs to Eat at the Feast of the Assumption
"Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus." This is a favorite part of the Hail Mary, a prayer most Catholics grew up with and still turn to today. On August 15, the Feast of Assumption celebrates the Blessed Mother's ascension into Heaven. On the vigil, or the day before the feast, it is appropriate to fast or abstain from meat. The practice of fasting increases the joy of breaking that fast on the next day. The following day includes a mass devoted to Mary and is followed up by a traditional great feast.
As August is ideal harvest time for plentiful fruits, the most traditional food to serve at this feast is a variety of salad, fruit, and grain. Prior to the feast, there is a Blessing of Fruit and Herbs, thanking the Lord for the plentiful meal and the fruits of summer. Mary, the mother of God, has often been paralleled to the symbol of a vine. Therefore, pasta salad with green grapes would be a suitable dish to serve at the celebration of her ascension. It is a simple and easy recipe that comes from the heart. Adding water chestnuts and almonds to this salad with a bit of boneless chicken breast make it a wholesome yet somewhat light meal to enjoy with family and friends.
Lavender is a wonderful herb to use in the celebration. It can be added to lemon or sugar cookies for dessert, and is known as Mary's Drying Plant. It was said to have received its scent after Mary laid Jesus' clothes on the plant to dry. Hundreds of other flowers and herbs were named after Mary, including spearmint. Stuffed grape leaves with spearmint make a delightful addition to the feast, coupled with a glass of red wine. Another unique flavor is sauteed zucchini or summer squash spritzed with lemon juice and a handful of finely chopped spearmint. On the side, a focaccia bread mixed with rosemary compliments the meal. The most important thing to remember about the Feast of Assumption is an abundant use of herbs and fruit.
Rememberance of Mary's divine Motherhood and her assumption into Heaven is an important aspect of the Catholic faith. The Feast of the Assumption celebrates both the happy departure of Mary from this life by her natural death, and her ascension bodily into Heaven. The traditional flavors of fruit and herbs are the perfect compliment to this celebration.
