Liturgical Living: The Month of Mary
In the Catholic Church, every month of the year has a special devotion.
The month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Why do we honor Mary?
Mary is our Mother – your mother, my mother, everyone’s mother – and she cares for all of us every day without fail,
interceding for us in even the tiniest matters.
Honoring Mary in May is a centuries-old custom. The month of May is always part of the Easter season, the fifty days that we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord, and a time of awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The celebration of May as a Marian month fits well with the rejoicing of Easter and Pentecost as we recall Mary’s great joy in her Son’s victory over death and her presence with the apostles in the upper room prayerfully awaiting the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
How can we honor Mary during the month of May? Here are a few ideas:
- Recite a daily rosary;
- Pray the Litany of Loreto;
- Sing or listen to a Marian hymn during your evening prayers;
- Learn about Our Lady of Fatima, whose feast day is on May 13;
- Attend the parish’s May crowning.
Another fun way to honor Mary this month is to plant a “Mary garden”.
Check the bulletin next week for ideas on how to create a Mary garden in your yard or in a planter.
Don’t have a green thumb? We will include ideas for garden-themed crafts to honor Mary, too.
