Mary's Month
Even Josē likes to spend time with Our Lady …
Believe it or not, we’re already in May - nearly halfway through 2026!! It’s incredible how time seems to fly by so quickly, enkindling our hearts with a deeper desire for the permanence of our eternal home. The Church, like the good Mother she is, wants to help us treasure each moment of our lives on earth while also looking forward to eternal life in Heaven. One of the ways she does this is through the cycles of the liturgical year, which connects the temporal seasons with spiritual realities above. Just as we celebrate the birthdays of our family and friends, so we celebrate the feastdays (Heavenly birthdays, if you will) of our family and friends in the Church Triumphant!
Of course, the most important member of this Communion of Saints, the greatest Saint of all, the human person closest to the Blessed Trinity, is Mother Mary. During this month of May, Catholics throughout the world love to honor the Blessed Mother in special ways - processions, flower crownings, various devotions, etc. Although none of the big Marian solemnities (Immaculate Conception, Assumption, Mother of God) occur during this month, the faithful have long associated the abundant life and beauty of May with the Virgin Mary, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra (our life, sweetness, and hope) and total pulchra (all-beautiful one).
Perhaps you might take a moment aside from your busy day today and think of Our Lady - of her ready obedience to God, her eager receptivity of His grace, her loving Motherhood of Christ and of His Church - and offer her a “rose” of love and gratitude for the role she has played in our redemption!