When I was a boy in a Catholic elementary school, each year each class created a May altar. The statue of Mary was placed on a pedestal and decorated with cloths, flowers and art. I remember looking at each class’s display and feeling warm love for Mary.
May is the month of Mary. May was traditionally considered the most beautiful month because of the abundance of flowers and so this month is dedicated to Mary.
Catholic devotion to Mary is rooted in biblical teaching. In Luke’s Gospel, the Angel Gabriel comes to announce to Mary that she was chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. He greets her using eloquent words, humbling himself before someone of great importance. And Mary responds, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me as you say”. Mary shows herself to be the Lord’s faithful disciple and obedient servant.
In due time, Mary gave birth and the angels sang and the humble shepherds visited. In Matthew’s Gospel, we read that an evil king tried to kill the infant Messiah and the Holy Family became refugees in Egypt.
When Jesus came of age, his ministry began when his mother, out of compassion for a newly married couple, asked Jesus to help them, and he changed water into wine to save them from embarrassment. Mary is presented as our intercessor before Jesus.
Mary witnessed her Son’s brutal death, and from the cross Jesus entrusted her to John, his beloved disciple and to us, as mother. She was there when the Church was born at Pentecost and she is presented as the Queen of Heaven in the book of Revelation. In Revelation, she wears a crown of stars, her dress is sunlight and she stands on the moon.
Some Christians say that we honor Mary overmuch. I say that we don’t’ honor Mary enough!
Saint John Church has a long tradition of devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes. We have prayers and we venerate the relic of Saint Bernadette after each Mass on Wednesdays. Perhaps during the month of May, you can join us for daily Mass and our Lourdes devotion on Wednesdays.
