May is Mary's month! And we honor her, just as we honor our biological mothers on Mother's Day. Honoring Mary in May comes from a long tradition of pagan and Christian practices.
Ancient Greeks dedicated May to Artemis, the goddess of fertility. Ancient Romans devoted the month of May to Flora, the goddess of flowers. In the 11th century, May became Mary's month, marked by 31 days of devotion and celebration. The idea originated in Italy.
Some churches set up a May altar decorated with flowers and images of the Blessed Virgin. Others celebrate by adorning a statue of Mary with a crown of flowers. People gather together to recite the Rosary and other Marian prayers.
There are many reasons to devote a special month to honoring Mary. And May, which brings new growth into the world every Spring, is the perfect month.
1. Mary is Jesus' mother. She agreed to God's plan and experienced all the joys and sorrows of being the Mother of the Son of God.
2. Mary is the First and Most Perfect of all the disciples of Jesus. She was with Jesus from the beginning and stayed with his apostles after Jesus' death. She was with Jesus when he performed his first miracle.
3. Mary is Our mother, too. We can always go to her in prayer when we are troubled and confused.
4. Mary loves us as much as Jesus loves us. And Jesus honored his mother and asks us to honor her, too.
5. Mary is the Queen of Heaven, Intercessor for the Church, Advocate, helper, and mediatrix for all of us. Unstained by Original Sin and perfect in every way, Mary is always there when we need her. She is a constant light in a dark world.
Dawn Pisturino
May 8, 2021
Copyright 2021 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.
