May – Month of Mary

To Jesus through Mary

The month of May is called “Month of Mary”. This Christian custom arose at the end of the 13th century. During this month, faithful Catholics, both in church and in the privacy of their homes or designated places, offer up to Mary fervent and loving homage; and “during this month, the benefits of God’s mercy come down to us from her throne in greater abundance” [Paul VI, Encyclical on the Month of May, no. 1]. It is an invitation to us to come closer to Jesus through Mary.

“We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek – Jesus, her Son.” [Saint Louis Marie de Montfort, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, #94].

Our prayers are addressed to Jesus through the intercession of the Virgin Mary. It is God who is praised for the salvation accomplished by his Son, to whom Mary is associated by grace: “Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1: 28); “Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb” (Luke 1:42).

Mary consented to the coming of the Saviour Jesus Christ and cooperated in developing His mission. She supported Him during His public ministry in a quiet way, beginning at Cana, where by her intercession Jesus performed His first miracle. The Easter season, gives us a very opportunity to rediscover the role of the Virgin Mary as mother and model in our lives and in the Church Mission. Mary was at the foot of the cross. She was presented to us as our mother: ‘Woman, behold your son’ (…) ‘Son behold your mother’ (John 19:27).

Mary was present at the Cenacle gathered together with the Apostles and waiting the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Pentecost day. (Acts 1:14). Pope Benedict reminds us “There is no Church without Pentecost (…) and there is no Pentecost without the Virgin Mary”. [BENEDICT XVI, Regina Caeli, St Peter’s Square- Sunday, 23 May 2010]. This allows us to contemplate the life and work of Christ and his Church in connection with his mother, but also it helps us to grow in joy and filial trust in Mary our Mother.

During this month, the Church invites us through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray to Christ to fill us with his Spirit: The Spirit of truth and wisdom who frees us from slavery of sin. With Mary, the model of true discipleship and of complete faith, we are invited to follow Christ. Aware of Mary’s motherly presence and love, during this month of Mary, let’s offer to God through her all and our intentions, as well our joys as our worries and our sorrows.

Let us learn from her how to love and trust God completely and how to be faithful witnesses of the risen Lord. With confidence, let us listen to Mary, who tells us again as she did to the servants at Cana: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

Rev. Jean-Sylvere Mbuela, CICM

Published on: 01-12-2018