The Last Rose of Summer


So delighted to have this bouquet from my garden. Yet, looking forward to the colors of Fall!


Autumn has always been a favorite time of year for me. I love the cooler weather and sensory explosion of the season...brightly colored trees...crunchy sounding leaves, kids giggling as they jump in and the geese noisly migrating...smells of bonfires and cider...the tastes of pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes..the feel of the cooler weather and wind.

It is also a month of Saints and feasts - St. Therese, The Holy Guardian Angels, St. Francis, St. Faustina, Our Lady of The Rosary, St. Brigid of Sweden, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Hedwig, St. Margaret mary Alacoque, St. Gerard Majella, St. Luke, St. Isaac Jogues, St. John Cantius, The flying St. John of Capistrano, St. Raphael the Archangel and more.

Dive into fall with this Prayer for Autumn Days

God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process.

God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.

God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.

God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this.

God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.

God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and vision.

God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.

God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful.
Amen.

5 comments:

Lisa Boyle said...

Beautiful flowers! :-) I, too, love autumn. Thank you for the reminder to really take a step back. It is then that we can see the beauty in God's creation around us and within us.

Christine said...

Did you write all that from your heart? It is very very good! You have a sweet sweet beautiful heart.

Sarah said...

I really like autumn, too! That prayer is lovely! I am going to print it out =)

Leticia said...

I always think of "The Last Rose of Summer" at this time of year, thanks for a lovely post.

regan said...

i love that picture. i love that prayer. i am going to print it out too. and i love all of the sweet things you wrote!
hugs to you dear allison!

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