DUTCH FLORISTS CREATE A FLORAL HEAVEN IN ST. PETER’S SQUARE

For decades, it has been Dutch florists who have provided the floral decorations for St. Peter’s Square for Easter. It is always a true labor of love – not just growing the flowers but, extremely important, packing them correctly in the huge vans that bring them to Rome so that they arrive fresh and unbroken.

Work began yesterday and continued today, despite rain and chilly weather. It will be wonderful to see the final product – the final arrangement of the 35,000 plus flowers!

A number of times in the past I have gone to the square and taken photos on Easter Sunday, after Mass, long after the flowers, shrubs, etc. had been placed in the square by the Dutch florists. I always loved the moment and prayed my parents were watching from heaven as they were marvelous gardeners! We always had enough property to have flourishing gardens and this was their passion.

The flowers you see in this slideshow were taken by a vaticanista colleague with permission to share. Thanks to Hendro Munsterman who writes for Nederlands Dagblad, a Dutch newspaper, we have these great images!

Continued below.