Expressly for the occasion of the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy extraordinary proclaimed by Pope Francis, the Italian creator of perfumes, Laura Tonatto Bosetti, has created a series of fragrances inspired by the scents spoken of in the Bible.
The Turin-based perfumer explains that “myrrh, frankincense, cassia, spikenard, rose are constantly evoked in the Bible, along with more exotic flavors of saffron, amber, cinnamon.” Her Holy Year collection includes three fragrances: Incense of Churches of Rome, Nard of Magdalena, and Mystic Rose.
Natural aromatics are linked to spiritual practices throughout the bible. In the Song of Songs 8:14, the beloved is invited to “be like a gazelle, or a young stag on the spice-laden mountains.” In Exodus 30:23-25, 34 the Lord tells Moses what fragrances to use for the creation of anointing oils and incense: “Take these aromatic substances: storax and onycha and galbanum, these and pure frankincense in equal parts …”