May: The Month of Our Blessed Mother
As the Church enters the month of May, we turn in a special way to the Blessed Virgin Mary, honoring her as our Mother and model of discipleship. This longstanding devotion is not simply a pious custom, but a deeply fitting response of love to the one whom Christ Himself gave to us from the Cross: “Behold, your mother” (John 19:27).
May has long been associated with new life and beauty in the natural world, and the Church has seen in this a reflection of Mary’s role in salvation history. Through her “yes” at the Annunciation, she became the vessel through which Life Himself entered the world. Just as the earth blossoms in spring, so too does grace flourish whenever Mary leads us closer to her Son.
Throughout this month, the faithful are encouraged to deepen their devotion to Mary in simple and meaningful ways:
- Pray the Rosary – The Rosary is a powerful meditation on the life of Christ through the eyes of His Mother. Even one decade prayed well can draw us more deeply into the mysteries of our salvation.
- Marian Devotions – We will celebrate our May Crowning the first weekend of May at all Masses, honoring Our Lady as Queen and Mother. The tradition of May Crowning dates back centuries and is a simple but beautiful act of love: a crown of flowers is placed upon an image or statue of Mary, recognizing her as the Queen of Heaven and the one who always leads us to her Son. It is also a reminder that the greatest crown we can offer her is not made of flowers, but of our own lives lived in fidelity to Christ.
In addition, the Guardian Angels Rosary Club will lead the Rosary in the main church before the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass and the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass throughout the month.
- Imitating Mary’s Virtues – Above all, devotion to Mary should lead us to imitate her humility, obedience, purity, and unwavering trust in God.
Mary never draws attention to herself; she always points us to Jesus. At the wedding feast at Cana, her words remain a guide for every Christian life: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). If we truly honor Mary, we will heed her instruction and follow her Son more faithfully.
In a world that often pulls us in many directions, May offers us a renewed opportunity to slow down and entrust ourselves to the care of our Blessed Mother. She is not distant or indifferent—she is attentive to our needs, interceding for us as she did at Cana, and leading us ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Let us make this month a time of renewed love for Mary, confident that when we go to her, she brings us to her Son.
In Christ,
Fr. Joe Connelly