The Virgin Mary's Tree

Mary and Joseph one day took the Child Jesus, and made their way to the temple for a special ceremony called the Purification. On their way the Blessed Virgin stopped to rest under the shade of a Turpentine Tree. Beside her, St. Joseph sat, holding two white doves which were to be offered in the temple, to the Lord. While they were resting under this Turpentine Tree, it bent its branches and spread them out to protect the Holy Family and do honour to the Child Jesus.

This miraculous tree lived for many years, and every pilgrim who passed that way kissed this special tree and took away some of its leaves or branches. But sad to say, in 1645, an Arab who was not a Catholic, cut down this beautiful tree because he didn't want pilgrims to pass over his field, in search of the famous tree.

The Franciscan Monks in the Holy Land, told the Governor of Jerusalem about this and he gave orders that some young shoots of another Turpentine Tree should be grafted on to the roots of this old tree. He was hoping that the poor old tree still had some life in it and that maybe he could save it. But alas, it was too late! The tree was dead and the young shoots would not grow.

So the Monks took the old Turpentine Tree that had been cut down and sold small pieces of the old tree. From the wood of this tree they also made crosses and rosaries, and passed them out to travelers. These good Monks had a huge pile of stones placed on the spot where the Virgin Mary's Tree had once stood, so that this holy spot would continue to be honoured.

Today you can not obtain a piece of wood from this Turpentine Tree but you can have something even better; it is the Brown Scapular. The Brown Scapular is called the garment of Mary. And when you wear it, it is a sign that you are always thinking about Mary and that she is always thinking about you. Of course if you are not able to wear the Brown Scapular because of health reasons, then you should at least wear the Scapular Medal, which has a picture of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on one side and a picture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the other side. In this way you will always be in the arms of Our Lady. And don't forget to kiss your Brown Scapular every day; you will always get a special grace for doing so!

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