Monsignor O’Sullivan, parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Auchterarder, explains more about May being the month of Our Lady.
Background
May is dedicated to the Blessed Mother. This dedication dates back centuries but became more popular in the 18th century. In 1945, Pope Pius XII confirmed May as the month of Mary. He created the Feast of the Queenship of Mary on May 31st. That feast was later moved to August 22nd, octave day of the Assumption.
Why May?
St. John Henry Newman gives us various reasons for May being dedicated to Mary. It is the time when the earth bursts forth into its fresh foliage and its green grass, after the stern frost and snow of winter, and the raw atmosphere and the wild wind and rain of early spring. It is because the blossoms are on the trees and the flowers are in the garden. It is because the days have become longer and the sun rises early and sets late.
Such gladness and joyfulness of nature is a fitting attendant on our devotion to her who is the Mystical Rose and the House of Gold . A person may say that May can sometimes be cold, bleak and wet. True, but May is the month of promise and hope. Even though the weather may be bad, this is the month that begins and heralds in the summer . This makes May the month of promise, if not of fulfilment, and this is the very reason why it reflects the Blessed Mother. The Angel came to Mary and said to her: “The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
Mary was the sure promise of the coming Saviour and therefore May is, by a special title, her month.
The month focuses on Mary’s purity, humility and her ‘Yes’ to God, encouraging believers to follow her example of faith.
Marian Feasts and Devotions in May
May 13th – Our Lady of Fatima
May 31st – Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
May Crowning – a popular tradition where a statue of Mary is crowned with flowers, to recognize her as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
In the home – families often set up special prayer corners or altars dedicated to Mary.
Purpose – we honour her as the Mother of God and seek her intercession to draw closer to Christ. During this month, we are encouraged to seek her intercession for special intentions.