The Gethsemane Scarf

Our new scarf, draped as a shirt

We are thrilled to share with you the story behind our new Gethsemane scarf. The intricate design mimics a French rose stained glass window. The ancient and magnificent churches intentionally incorporated this design since “the circular shape of the rose window evokes divine perfection, infinity, and the heavens…the circle represents God, as it has no beginning or end.” When we wear this scarf we are reminded that we are living tabernacles called to communicate His goodness to all through the broken pieces of our life made beautiful by His grace. These broken pieces–our suffering–are not in vain since Christ has given meaning to all suffering by His Paschal Mystery (Passion, Death, Resurrection, Ascension).  

We are convinced this scarf is especially for the one who is enduring a season of great suffering. We hope it serves as a tangible reminder that Christ is in agony with them in the garden of their soul.  

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray’… He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will … The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak’…Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, ‘My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!’” (Matthew 26:36, 39, 41-42)

Christ was left alone to wrestle with anxiety as His friends were asleep. He understands that which torments our soul and the things others might write off as petty but cause us duress. He meets us in our darkest hour and offers us the safety of His Sacred Heart. The center of the scarf creates the shape of a heart as a reminder that we are given a safe haven in the heart of Christ in the garden of suffering. 

The chalices in the first circle reflect the will of the Father and the Blood that would be shed for us. They also serve as a reminder that Christ strengthens us to drink of the chalice of suffering in our present circumstances.

Gethsemane literally means “oil press”—but we are crushed not destroyed—as St. Paul encourages us, “We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). 

The Gethsemane Scarf tied at the waist

We have not been abandoned to explain away our suffering or make sense of it; rather, Christ weeps with us. He reminds us that this moment is not the end of our story.

The grapes recall “the fruit of the vine” offered at the Last Supper which is transubstantiated into His Blood, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:28-29). He reveals the promise of Heaven —the hope for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. He is the faithful Bridegroom who lays down His life for His Bride, the Church. The grapes also remind us to cling to Him as He is the vine and we are the branches (John 15:5). We only bear good fruit when we are rooted in Him.   

We are given moments of consolation in our difficult seasons whether it's the compassionate friend who walks with us or a good night’s sleep. Similarly, the angels came to minister to Christ in the garden—they did not take away His suffering or change it but He was given a moment of relief. The angels sketched on the scarf are to serve as a reminder of the little miracles the Lord has provided you during this time. 

The scarf is covered in anemones and roses. The roses are a nod to the Crown of Thorns but more immediately to the sweating of blood during Christ’s Agony in the Garden. A florist reveals a Scripture connection that “Though Jesus says ‘lilies’, He is not referring to lilies, but common wildflowers such as anemones. They are wild field flowers in Palestine that continue to grow near the lake of Galilee.” The anemone has its origins in the Holy Land where it thrives in the wild and adapts, gracing meadows, rocky slopes, and Mediterranean scrublands, symbolizing resilience and transformation. Some also say that the red anemone is often associated with the Passion of Christ, “According to Christian legend, red anemones grew at the foot of the cross during the Crucifixion, their vibrant hue reflecting the sacrifice and suffering of Christ.”

The iridescent effect in the layering of the colors almost looks like the wing of a butterfly wing. Butterflies have historically been a symbol of resurrection and transformation because it emerges as a new creature from its cocoon. Veronica spent a lot of time with the color layering to create this sunrise effect. The colors serve as another encouragement to hope beyond our circumstances in times of suffering. 

The Gethsemane Scarf floating behind our model wearing a dress from the collection

Window shop here while you wait for the drop!