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All of the months of the year have a particular devotion. However, the particular focus assigned to each month is not dogmatically defined by the Church’s solemn authority. Rather, these devotions have been practiced by the faithful and grown as popular piety over the centuries. They have varied according to both region and local custom.
As we enter the month of May, those of us in the northern hemisphere celebrate the return of springtime as evident in creation emerging from winter, just as Our Lord has emerged from the tomb on Easter Sunday. The time of winter is now passed. And in a similar fashion, the month of May brings us the joy of celebrating in a special manner the Blessed Virgin Mary. This month features a number of Marian feastdays and, with the American celebration of Mother’s Day always in May, it is a fitting time for us to recall the maternal protection of our Heavenly Mother and live out this devotion through long-established Catholic customs.
She is the Virgin Mother of God, whose fiat allowed Our Lord to take human form in her womb. She was preserved from all stain of sin throughout her entire life. And, after her life, she was assumed body and soul into Heaven by the power of God and crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth. She is an example for us to imitate in faithful obedience to Jesus, and she is our special advocate with Her Divine Son.
In May there are a number of wonderful liturgical feasts in honor of Mary throughout the month. See the Catholic Calendar in order to see some of those which occur throughout the month of May on the General Calendar, though keep in mind there are many others kept in various local calendars in the Catholic world.
8 Ways to Honor the Month of Mary:
She is the Virgin Mother of God, whose fiat allowed Our Lord to take human form in her womb. She was preserved from all stain of sin throughout her entire life. And, after her life, she was assumed body and soul into Heaven by the power of God and crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth. She is an example for us to imitate in faithful obedience to Jesus, and she is our special advocate with Her Divine Son.
In May there are a number of wonderful liturgical feasts in honor of Mary throughout the month. See the Catholic Calendar in order to see some of those which occur throughout the month of May on the General Calendar, though keep in mind there are many others kept in various local calendars in the Catholic world.
8 Ways to Honor the Month of Mary:
- Pray the Rosary Every Day, if you do not do so already
- Encourage others to be enrolled in the Brown Scapular and to wear the Scapular Daily
- Pray the Litany of Loreto each day
- Honor the many feastdays in honor of Mary during May
- Visit a Marian Shrine in your area
- Consecrate yourself and your family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Take time to better understand the Blessed Virgin Mary in a Mariology Course
- Attend your parish's May Crowning.
