Bitter – sweet are two words we use to describe tastes. In many ways, they are extreme opposites.

Bittersweet is also a type of vine that grows on our land here at Mount Michael. Over the years of living here, we have learned where to find this vine and harvest it for ascetical purposes. Br. Jerome is very creative in using this vine in liturgical settings in the chapel as well as other areas of artistic environment.

Bittersweet’s vine produces a cluster of berries that are bright orange in maturity. When ready for harvest, the orange berry breaks open to reveal a brilliant redness inside. Although beautiful, the berries are poisonous!

Right now Br. Jerome has three arrangements of bittersweet in our chapel, one in front of the podium, another by the altar and the last one on the north side of chapel. This last arrangement is in a large pot which also holds a crucifix. The corpse of the crucifix was formed from copper wire. It is already striking, but particularly because the crucifix is surrounded by the bittersweet vine.

Both the vine of bittersweet and this particular crucifix seem to be quite appropriate for the Season of Lent. As perhaps any vine can be dangerous if not controlled, the bitter sweet vine can be very harmful to a tree. It can literally choke the tree it climbs to death. However, we know that nothing can choke the tree of life—the cross of Jesus!

Bittersweet lives up to its name—dangerous and poisonous, yet beautiful!

The cross and Jesus live up to what they are – suffering, yet the path to eternal happiness, beauty and victory of life!