Celebrate Mary in May

 

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.

Meditations on the Glorious Mysteries

 

The little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, flushed with pride and excitement as she crowned the head of Our Blessed Mother with a beautiful wreath of springtime flowers.

Such innocence! Such joy!  

It makes perfect sense that May is the month of Mary. Blooming flowers, the hum of nature's gentle creatures, warm breezes, and brilliant sunshine -- how beautiful is God's creation! And how beautiful is Our Blessed Mother!

 

1. The Resurrection of Jesus from the Dead

 

How blessed were Mary Magdalene and the Apostles to witness Our Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the bonds of death! His victory over death and obliteration is Our Victory, as well. Life is NOT finite, limited, confined to material space. God embraces the whole universe, infinite time, and eternal existence. He is our destiny, our life, our hope. Jesus' resurrection confirms that this is so.

 

2. The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

 

Jesus told his apostles that his kingdom is not of this world. The Romans could not comprehend this statement because they were attached to a material existence, indifferent to their own pantheon of gods and goddesses. What a gloomy way of living, fearing the darkness and finality of the grave. Jesus went home to His Kingdom, where he awaits our arrival with expectation and joy. Should we feel anything less? Do Not Fear Death, for Our Lord and Savior awaits!

 

3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit

 

True to His word, Jesus appeared to His apostles after the resurrection, revealing His true nature. He exhorted them to believe, to have faith, and to spread the message to people everywhere. His believers became the body of Christ on earth. We become one with Jesus when we take the Eucharistic wafer at mass. We become one with Our Lord when we love one another and strive to act as one body. Unite! Do not allow the forces threatening our country and our world to be victorious.

 

4. The Assumption of Our Lady into Heaven

 

Mary consented to be the vessel of God's will. She carried His love and message into the world. She encouraged her son, Jesus, to begin His great ministry at Cana. How right, then, that God should make a special place for her in Heaven! 

 

5. The Crowning of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

 

And so we come again to the May crowning, when we remember our Spiritual Mother as the Mother of God. We love her, embrace her, turn to her for comfort. She is the mother of the world, ready to embrace all mankind. And she will stand next to her Son with open arms when we enter the gates of Heaven.

 

Dawn Pisturino

Copyright 2015 Dawn Pisturino. All Rights Reserved.