A Rose is a Rose, is a ...
My family was deliberate when they chose my name…Rose Michael Bryo.
Rose is derived from the Latin, Rosa, a beautiful flower. It is the Norman form of a Germanic name. Christians have used this beautiful flower to represent the Virgin Mary, Rosa Mystica. This site is dedicated to Mary under the name, Rosa Mystica. This first part of my name, Rose, is matronymic in character. A common color of the rose - red, has come to symbolize love and martyrdom - the shedding of blood. Let us pray that my ‘cousin’ embryos will be loved, welcomed and nurtured in their mothers’ wombs.
My father also chose Rose for my name in honor of a family friend who went by that name, as well as his Aunt Rose, who was a talented artist, clever writer, and gardener. Also, Rose is the surname of a young, courageous person who heads the organization, Live Action. Lila Rose has been instrumental in exposing the harmful, illegal activity of Planned Parenthood’s involvement in covering up abuse of under-aged girls. I refer you to: www.liveaction.org.
My middle name, Michael, was chosen in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, who led the heavenly armies against the evil Lucifer. The name is derived from Hebrew, Mikkael, which translates; “Who is like God?” Family members who share the name, Michael, include my uncle, my great-uncle on my mother’s side, and my oldest sister who goes by the feminine, French version - Michelle.
Read about the Legendary Sword of St. Michael: www.aleteia.org/2017/05/31/7-sanctuaries-linked-by-a-straight-line-the-legendary-sword-of-st-michael/
My surname, Bryo, has its origins in the Greek language, and means Moss. My family chose Bryo so we could reflect on the beauty of God’s creations throughout the universe, as reflected in this simple, velvety plant. The plants featured in my name, the rose and moss, remind us of the joy experienced by my father, my great-aunt Rose, and my Aunt Charlotte during their horticultural endeavors. I’m reminded of Mother Teresa’s reflection on Flora: “How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.” A beautiful, artistic rendering of moss can be seen on the man-made trees in the children’s section of Smother’s Park in Owensboro, KY.
Mosses are classified on their own as the division Bryophyta. There are 12,000 species. Mosses are confused with lichens, hornworts and liverworts. Lichens have the appearance of mosses, have common names that include the word “moss”, but are not related to mosses. Moss is the primary constituent of peat (my father’s favorite soil amender), is used in the floral industry, used as insulation, and is used to absorb excess liquid, including menstrual flow, in some cultures.
Pope Francis reminds us of the dignity of each person made in the image and likeness of God. In his encyclical, Laudato Si, the Pope encourages us to care for our common home. This includes the simplest of plants, like moss. Let us pray for a renewed appreciation of the the beauty, simplicity, and the complexity of the variety of plants that cover the earth. Let us also remind ourselves of the dignity of each person, whether a tiny, simple zygote, or a growing, complex embryo, formed in wombs throughout this wonderful universe. Choosing Bryo as my surname serves as a way to pay homage to the omnipotent Demiurge who rules our universe.
"Let all creation help you to praise God. Give yourself the rest you need. When you are walking alone, listen to the sermon preached to you by the flowers, the trees, the shrubs, the sky, the sun and the whole world. Notice how they preach to you a sermon full of love, of praise of God, and how they invite you to proclaim the greatness of the one who has given them being."
— St. Paul of the Cross
Learn more about these things by reading Laudato Si, and visiting: www.wikipedia.org, www.franciscanmedia.com, and www.lifenews.com, www.vatican.va. An interesting reflection on learning from nature can be found in the newsletter of The Cardinal Newman Society, "The Catholic Education Insider", written by a graduate of Wyoming Catholic College. She discusses the work of two poets, and the geometrical theories of Euclid. The author of the article mentions the plant from which my surname was inspired - moss. Visit: https://newmansociety.org/nature-as-teacher/.
My apostolate is dedicated to Rosa Mystica. I invite everyone to participate in this ministry by visiting the website, educating yourself about the Life Issues, then devoting a certain portion of each day, using your talents and treasure toward changing hearts, and establishing legal status for my fellow embryos.
With love,
Rose M. Bryo
P.S. If you study my signature carefully, you might discover another reason Bryo was chosen as my surname, and Michael as my middle name.