My very dear friend, author Jane Mossendew has written a little jewel of a book, just in time for spring and summer garden work: Gardening for God is available from the Catholic Truth Society. Jane had the exquisite kindness of dedicating Gardening for God to Monsignor Guido Marino, Papal Master of Ceremonies . . . and to me!
The CTS announcement of the new publication has this to say:
Gardens have always occupied an important place in Holy Scripture, from the garden of Eden to the many horticultural images used by Christ himself.
This booklet is an invitation to remember God when we head out of our back door. It shows how we are brought closer to God through being surrounded by, and helping to grow, His creation.
From the different flowers that accompany us throughout the liturgical year, to the importance of making time for reflection, a garden has an eloquent language that this text helps to unpack.
Jane Mossendew was raised as an Anglican and converted to Catholicism in 1959. In 2006, after a career in education, Jane retired from London to her garden in the south of France.