Dear Parishioners:
It begins this week! Yes, it's the month of May, when all the flowers watered by April showers finally bloom, the grass grows, and we start thinking about planting gardens, having family picnics, going to college graduations, and celebrating First Communions. The Month of May is also dedicated to the Blessed Mother Mary. For centuries, we have dedicated the entire month of May to honor Mary, Mother of God. This is not just a day in May but a month of reverence and devotion
The tradition of the Month of Mary is not a recent one. It spans centuries and cultures, with its roots going back to the Ancient Greeks. In early Greece, May was dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of fecundity. In Ancient Rome, May was dedicated to Flora, the goddess of blooms. At the end of April, they celebrated ludi florals, or floral games, and asked Flora for the intercession of all that bloomed.
Similar such customs abounded in medieval times, centering around expelling winter, as May First was considered the start of new growth. The medieval tradition of Tricesimum, or "Thirty-Day Devotion to Mary," occurred during this period. It was also sometimes called "Lady Month."
The idea of a month dedicated specifically to Blessed Mother Mary can be traced back to baroque times. Although it wasn't always held during May, Mary Month included thirty daily spiritual exercises and devotions honoring Mary. In this era, Mary's Month and May were combined, making May the Month of Mary with special devotions organized daily. This custom became especially widespread during the nineteenth century and remains in practice until today.
There are numerous ways to honor Mary in May, and these traditions are as diverse as the people who practice them. Here at OLM, we have the great tradition of May Devotions with Eucharistic Adoration and the recitation of the Holy Rosary every Monday in May at 7:00 pm. We also have a morning Rosary Group who pray the Rosary after the daily 7:30 am Mass.
Additionally, we crown the statue of Mary during May – a custom known as May Crowning. The crown, made of beautiful blossoms, represents Mary's beauty and virtue. It serves as a reminder for us to strive to imitate our Blessed Mother's virtue, faith, and humility in our lives. The May Crowning at OLM is always on Mother's Day at the 10:30 am Mass. Our First Communion children come to the Mass in their First Communion attire and crown our Blessed Mother, Queen of the May! This beautiful ceremony is a wonderful way to celebrate Mother's Day and honor Mary.
During May, give Mary a special spot in your spiritual life. Take up the Rosary and pray it daily! Come to May Devotions on Mondays, and pray for peace in your life and our world. Yes, turn to Mary and pray for her intercession. St. Padre Pio said: "The Rosary is the 'weapon' for these times!"
It is widely believed that in 1214, St. Dominic had a vision of Blessed Mother Mary. She presented him with the Rosary, both the beads and the prayers to be prayed. St. Dominic had a tremendous devotion to Mary and the Rosary, which he promoted wherever he traveled to preach. He encouraged Catholics to gather in small groups to pray together, which was an early form of the Rosary together.
Mary is our mother, and because she cares for us day in and day out without fail, she intercedes for us in even the tiniest matters. For that, she deserves an entire month in her honor. So take your Rosary beads and put them to prayerful work, meditating on the joyful, sorrowful, glorious, and luminous mysteries.
Pope Francis has urged Catholics to pray the Rosary, especially in May. He said: "I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May. Contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family. It will help us overcome this time of trial."
So add a Rosary to your week and come to Devotions on Mondays too! The Rosary is a mobile prayer. Pray it alone in the car on the way to work or together while taking the kids to a game. Mary, pray for us! Be well. Do good. God Bless.