Blessing of Seeds, Sept. 8, 2023

“Let neither drought nor flood destroy them, but keep them unharmed until they reach their full growth and produce an abundance harvest for the service of body and soul.”

In the first days of September, the Church has traditionally begun Her transition from Summer to Autumn. This transition was seen in the old breviary and continues to be seen in the Ember Days. In some regions of Europe, the day of Our Lady’s Nativity itself marked the end of the Summer and the beginning of the autumnal planting season. Fittingly, this day was set aside for blessing the seeds and seedlings soon to be planted.