Hey! Before you read this post, you should check out our Month of Mary Giveaway on Instagram @bgf_catholic. You could win a copy of Fr. Mitch Pacwa’s Bible study: Mary — Virgin, Mother, and Queen: A Bible Study Guide for Catholics.
Why is May the Month of Mary?
Catholics set apart the month of May to honor Mary because of her role as the Blessed Mother of Jesus. Jesus instructed all of us to take Mary as our own mother when he said to John, “Behold your mother!” as some of his last words on the cross.
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
John 19: 25 – 29
When Jesus spoke to “the disciple whom he loved,” he was not only speaking to John, but to all Christians who would follow him in the future (including you and I!). We are Jesus’ present-day disciples who he loves and wishes to share his Blessed Mother with. During May, we are called to carry out the same loving act as John did “from that hour”—take Mary into our own home and honor her as our mother too.
The tradition of honoring Mary during May developed out of ancient Roman and Greek practices. Before Christianity began to grow in these regions, May was associated with the celebration of pagan goddesses representing spring and fertility. As the Romans and Greeks began to accept Christianity, these practices evolved to honor the Christian Mother of Jesus, the Holy Virgin Mary.
Multiple Popes have acknowledged and validated the special treatment of May as Mary’s Month. Pius VII in 1815 and Pius IX in 1859 both granted indulgences to the practices associated with Marian Devotion in May (however, they were removed after the revision of indulgences in 1966). Pope Pius XII officially dedicated May as the Month of Mary in 1945. In the early 2000s, Pope John Paul II became known for his personal devotion to Mary, and he encouraged the faith community to continue honoring Mary during the month of May.
5 Ways to Celebrate the Month of Mary
How can you celebrate the Month of Mary?
There are many ways to celebrate the Month of Mary. Here are a few common devotions that you can incorporate into your own celebration of Mary:
1. May Crowning
Donning a statue of Mary with a crown of flowers during the month of May is a longstanding tradition in the Catholic Church. May Crownings sometimes occur as big ceremonies hosted by a church and attended by the whole congregation. Other May Crownings are more intimate experiences that occur inside the home among family members. It can be a special event to let the children take turns crowning Mary each year. The flower crown represents Mary’s beauty and virtue and reminds us to imitate Mary’s virtues in our own lives.
2. Recite the Rosary
The rosary can be prayed at any time of year, but it is especially encouraged during the month of May. Praying the rosary is an excellent way to meditate upon the life of Jesus through the eyes of Mary. You can learn to pray the rosary here.
3. Perform a Consecration to Mary
The faithful can perform spiritual exercises to increase their devotion to Jesus through Mary. One such exercise is Fr. Gaitley’s 33 Days to Morning Glory retreat based on the devotion devised by St. Louis De Montfort. During the 33 days, the faithful increase their knowledge of themselves, of the Blessed Mother, and of Jesus Christ.
4. Set Up a May Altar
During May, special altars are set up in churches and in private homes to honor Mary in a special way. Alternatively, people may add a statue or picture of Mary to their existing altar, prayer corner, or shrine.
5. Celebrate Marian Feast Days
According to the General Roman Calendar, there are two Marian feast days in May: Our Lady of Fatima (5/13); Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (5/31). You can celebrate these feast days by praying, attending a daily Mass, reading a religious book about Mary, or by performing any spiritual devotion that honors Mary.
How do you celebrate the Month of Mary? Share your traditions with me in the comments below! Also, be sure to check out our Instagram Giveaway featuring a Bible Study all about Mary.