ROSARY AND DEVOTION TO MARY IN THE MONTH OF MAY

 

Luky;

MAY is our Lady's month, the month of the most holy rosary, my favourite prayer.

I'm not going to be sanctimonious about it. Either the rosary is your kind of prayer or it isn't. I love saying the rosary, but St Thérèse of the Child Jesus found it difficult to pray. But even if you're not specially taken with it, the rosary is a wonderful prayer.

Signs of grace

As I've often said, we've always said the rosary as a family, and a less devout spectacle it would be hard to imagine. Sometimes I wondered whether we shouldn't just drop the whole thing because my children seemed to feel about the rosary the way St Thérèse did, but then I recalled the special signs of grace bestowed on my friends and family as a result of rosary novenas, and pushed on regardless.

After all, it is not very nice when you are small to sit still at Mass, but by the time you're in your late teens you find a deep need to go to Mass to collect your scattered and sometimes shattered resources.

Renew trust with Our Lady

By the same token a daily withdrawal into a quiet room for your rosary, said as well as you can, renews your trust with our Lady, until it becomes the most peaceful part of your day.

Strong, silent woman

I always feel the Blessed Virgin must have been such a strong, silent woman. Do you remember nights spent up caring for tiny tots with high temperatures, children crying in agony with an ear or tooth infection? Do you remember how desperately helpless you felt?

One film I watched depicted our Lady and the holy women all screaming out their sorrow. I could never imagine our Lady performing like that. I see her instead under the cross looking steadfastly into her Son's Eyes. If she had gone to pieces there, our Lord would have had even more to bear.

Please pray the rosary

Mary has done a lot for us. And time and again, she has come to earth and begged her children to pray the rosary every day, promising grace and blessings on those who grant her request. Yet so many have a dislike of this specially recommended form of prayer.

Family prayer-time

Bearing this is mind, we persevered with our family rosary daily, me armed with a store of cautionary words for certain parties, who felt that family prayer-time should rather be called family fun-time.

Whenever the children became restive during the rosary, I found myself saying things like: "Pray your rosary. Am I the only Catholic in the family?"

Laughter

One night we were praying, and my youngest was frolicking around, providing a laugh per Hail Mary. I looked at her in a reproving manner, so she subsided, knelt down and joined in the prayer. Her brothers and sisters were mumbling and this got on her nerves. 

Fixing the rest of the family with a stern look, she commanded: "Say your rosary! Am I the only Catholic in the family?"

Catherine Nicolette;

Those were the days! I am still devoted to the holy Rosary. I also often pray the Divine Mercy rosary. 

What is the rosary?

For those who do not really know what the rosary is, it is a set of beads used as a reminder, on which prayers based in  Scripture may be prayed. 

Large beads

The large beads are held at the beginning of a cycle of prayer known as a decade, while the "Our Father" prayer of Our Lord Jesus Christ is prayed (Matt 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4). 

Small beads

The small beads are held during the decade, while the "Hail Mary" prayer is prayed. This prayer is based upon the visitation of the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38). 

Glory be

The large bead is held at the end of the decade, while the "Glory Be" prayer is prayed. This prayer is a short yet profound doxology reflecting the biblical foundation of the Trinitarian prayer, echoing the baptismal formula given by Jesus Christ, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). The phase "as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be" affirms God's Eternal Nature and unchanging Glory, reminiscent of passages such as Hebrews 13:8; "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." 

Reflection on biblical passages

While each decade is being prayed, different passages from the Bible are reflected on. The mysteries reflect as follows:

The Joyful Mysteries:

The Annunciation: Luke 1:26-38

The Visitation: Luke 1:39-56

The Nativity: Luke 2

The Presentation in the Temple: Luke 2:22-40

Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple: Luke 2:41-52

The Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Agony in the Garden: Mark 14:13-42;  Luke 22:39-46

The Scourging at the Pillar; John 19:1-3;  Matthew 27:26;  Mark 15:15

The Crowning with Thorns: John 19:2-3, Mark 15:19, Matthew 27:27-29

The Carrying of the Cross: Matthew 27:31-33; Mark 15:20-22; John 19:16-18

The Crucifixion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 27:32-44; Mark 15:21-32; Luke 23:26-43; John 19:17-24

The Glorious Mysteries:

The Resurrection: Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-16; Luke 24:1-12; Luke 20:1-16

The Ascension into Heaven: Luke 24:50-53

The Descent of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:1-11 

The Assumption of Mary: recognized in the Church by Venerable Pope Pius XII's 1950 Dogma of the Assumption Munificentissimus Deus [1]. Early church tradition spoke of the death and assumption of Mother Mary body and soul into Heaven at the Dormition. One account is the non-canonical account Transitus Mariae, [2] which describes angels transporting Mother Mary's body to heaven. This tradition influenced later liturgical celebrations, such as the Feast of the Dormition, established by the 6th century in the Byzantine church. [3] The Feast of the Dormition or Falling-Asleep of the Theotokos is beautifully described by the holy Orthodox Church in America [4]

The Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven: As Mother of the King of Heaven, tradition holds that Mother Mary has Queenship in Heaven. The history of the tradition that Mother Mary is Queen in Heaven is set out in the encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam of Venerable Pope Pius XII. [5] St Ephrem spoke of Mother Mary as Queen. St Gregory Nazianzen called Mary the Mother of the King of the Universe, while Prudentius asserted that the Mother brought forth God as man and and Supreme King. [5] St Andrew of Crete attributed the dignity of Queen to Mother Mary. [5] St Germanus and St John Damascene, St Ildephonsus of Toledo all recognized Mother Mary as Queen.  [5]

Small biblical reminder

The rosary, to me, is almost like a small bible reminder in my pocket. It is easy to take with me anywhere, and may be prayed at any time. It is a quick resource which helps to remind me of the important truths and tradition of the faith. 

The Divine Mercy Novena

The Divine Mercy Novena may be prayed upon the same kind of rosary. The Novena is a beautiful prayer which has many graces attached to it.

PRAY THE ROSARY WORLDWIDE

https://www.comepraytherosary.org/

PRAY THE DIVINE MERCY NOVENA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sfYoiwZAEg

PRAY AT LOURDES

https://directfromlourdes.com/lourdes_live_tv

[1] Venerable Pope Pius XII. November 1, 1950. Munificentissimus Deus

https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-xii_apc_19501101_munificentissimus-deus.html

[2] Bible Probe. Transitus Mariae

http://www.bibleprobe.com/transitusmariae.htm

[3] Sacerdotus. 2025. The Assumption of the Virgin Mary: Historical Development, Theological Foundations, and Refutations of Objections

https://sacerdotus.substack.com/p/the-assumption-of-virgin-mary

[4] The Orthodox Church in America. Volume II -Worship. The Church Year. Dormition of the Theotokos

https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/worship/the-church-year/dormition-of-the-theotokos

[5] Venerable Pope Pius XII. 11 October 1954. Ad Caeli Reginam

https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_11101954_ad-caeli-reginam.html

With thanks to vatican.va, bibleprobe.com, sacerdoctus.substack.com, oca.org, comepraytherosary.org, directfrom lourdes.com and Youtube

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Family rosary" 

O MARY, QUEEN OF MAY

 

O MARY, QUEEN OF MAY

Queen of May, O gentle Mother fair,
You watch our weary world with tender care;
From heaven’s light your loving gaze descends,
Upon your children, whom your heart befriends.

With blossoms bright we crown your holy brow,
In love and prayer we make our humble vow.
Each petal laid, a quiet act of grace,
A sign of faith no darkness can erase.

You held dear Jesus, so fragile, pure, and mild,
And taught the world through care of holy Divine Child.
In simple deeds, in kindness softly shown,
We echo love that in your life was sown.

In troubled times, as ever they have been,
When hearts grow faint and hope becomes unseen;
We turn to you, O Mother, calm and bright,
To guide our steps again toward heaven’s true light.

Lead us, dear Mother Mary, upon the narrow way,
Through shadowed paths wending onward into eternal day.
We ask you keep us close, whatever may befall;
Sweet Queen of May, our Mother, our dear beloved all.

With thanks to Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_lflvUReCo

HIDDEN GRACE, MYSTERY DEEP - MOTHER MARY

Mother Mary is the chosen vessel and gracious Queen, who carried the Christ-Child in womb unseen. Today Jesus' Light shines upon all, and keeps us in God's Thrall. 

During Christ's youth, Mother Mary loved her family, and showed affection to all. She accepted God's Invitation to become Mother of His Son. Mary visited St Elizabeth with joy and affection. Mother Mary was faithful spouse to St Joseph. She fled to Egypt with her husband and son, and thus is Queen of Refugees. 

Today Mother Mary is Queen of Heaven and Queen of hearts. We pray that Mother Mary keep us safe today and that she will overcome the power of the evil one.

We pray that Mother Mary will help to bring us safely in the harbour of heaven, where - crowned as Queen of Heaven - she abides. 

Hidden Grace, Mystery Deep

O Mother Mary, chosen one,
Who bore in womb God’s only Son,
A hidden grace, a mystery deep,
While heaven watched and earth did keep.

Gracious Queen in silence bright,
You carried Love, the world’s true Light,
Unseen the Child, yet fully known,
The Word made flesh, to us now shown.

With Saint Joseph by your side so true,
In humble home your love first grew,
A faithful heart, a family small,
Yet held within the Lord of all.

You rose in haste o’er hill and field,
To Elizabeth, who Baptist didst yield.
Your greeting filled the air with grace,
As God’s own Presence lit that place.

O Queen of refugees, we see
Your flight to Egypt urgently;
With Child and spouse through desert night,
Preserved by God’s protecting Might.

Now crowned in heaven, radiant Queen,
Above all things both heard and seen,
You shine your light on hearts below,
And guide us where God’s Mercies flow.

Keep us, dear Mother, in God’s Thrall,
With loving trust that binds us all.
Protect our souls through night and day,
And lead us on the narrow way.

O'ercome the serpent’s ancient power,
Where fear and shadow oft do tower.
Let evil flee before your grace,
And peace upon the world take place.

When life’s storm has spent its breath,
And we draw near the gate of death,
Bring us, O Queen, by gentle hand,
Safe to heaven’s harbour, fair and grand.

There crowned in light, with saints above,
You reign in everlasting love,
O Mother Mary, hear our plea - 
Lead us to Christ eternally.

 

Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Mother Mary in Heaven' 

BY CANDLELIGHT, TOWARD THE SON: ODE TO MARIAN REFLECTION

 

                                                                                   Freepik

At dead of night, in silence deep,
While others rest in gentle sleep,
A young man bends with quiet sight,
His page aglow in candlelight.

No idle tale his mind employs,
No passing dream nor fleeting joys -
But words that breathe of heaven above,
Of Mother mild, of steadfast love.

He reads of her, so pure, so fair,
Whose “yes” was breathed through humble prayer;
The chosen one, the stainless Eve,
Who taught a wounded world belief.

The new Eve standing, firm yet mild,
Before the Father’s promised Child;
She bore the Word, she gave Him breath,
Who conquers sin and conquers death.

At Cana’s feast, with watchful eye,
She saw the need that passed them by;
The wine ran dry, the hour unclear,
Yet still she spoke with faith sincere.

“They have no wine,” her voice so low,
Yet filled with trust the world must know;
Though yet the hour seemed not begun,
She turned in hope unto her Son.

“If not now, when?” her silence cried,
No fear nor doubt her heart could hide;
She knew the weight, the path He’d tread,
The crown of thorns, the wine turned red.

Yet still she urged with gentle plea,
A mother’s wise fidelity;
And to the servants, firm yet kind,
She left these words for all mankind:

“Do what He tells you,” clear and true,
No greater path for me or you;
She points not inward to her grace,
But lifts our eyes to Jesus’ face.

And so the reader, still and mild,
Feels stirred within, becomes a child;
For Marian words, both soft and bright,
Lead hearts to Christ, the Living Light.

Some fear her love might cloud the way,
Or draw the soul from Christ astray;
Yet she, so humble, meek, and mild,
Reflects but Him - her God, her Child.

She takes no praise, she claims no throne,
No glory does she call her own;
But like the moon in silent sky,
She shines His light for all nearby.

Thus through the night, that soul is led,
By sacred truths the saints have said;
Till dawn breaks forth with golden ray,
And darkness gently slips away.

For Marian books, in wisdom spun,
Do not conceal the Father’s Son - 
But like her voice at Cana’s feast,
They guide us still to Christ, our Priest.

MARIAN SPIRITUAL READING

                                                                                                                               Freepik

Marian spiritual reading                                                        

Our inner life needs to be continually nourished. Just as the body requires food, so too does the soul require spiritual reading, prayer, and reflection. Devotion to Mother Mary, as studied through Mariology, holds a unique and powerful place. Mary is the perfect model of what it means to live fully as priest, prophet, and queenly servant. She offers herself completely to God (priestly), proclaims His greatness (prophetic), and reigns in humility and obedience (queenly). In contemplating her life, we learn how to embody our own calling more deeply.

Mary, Mother of the Church

Mariology is a profound means of spiritual enrichment. By turning to Mary, Mother of the Church, the devout are guided to Christ,  strengthened in baptismal identity and formed interiorly for their mission in the world. In Mary, the grace which we receive in Baptism is seen in its fullest flowering. Let us pray that, through her intercession, baptismal grace may flourish ever more abundantly in every soul.

Mariological books

There are Mariological books which stand as exceptionally rich and comprehensive resources for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Church's teaching on Mother Mary. They bring together theological clarity, scriptural insight, and spiritual reflection in a way that is both accessible and profound. Through careful presentation of doctrine and tradition, readers are invited not only to learn about Mary, but to encounter more fully her unique role in the mystery of salvation and her enduring presence in the life of the Church.

Theologically grounded Marian devotion

Theologically grounded Mariological literature may prove a powerful aid to growth of authentic Marian devotion. They help the reader to appreciate Mary not merely as a figure of the past, but as a living Mother who continues to guide humankind toward her Son, Jesus Christ. 

By illuminating Mary's virtues, her mission, and her faithful co-operation with God’s plan, Marian resources foster a devotion that is theologically grounded and spiritually fruitful. Excellent Marian resources prove safeguard against superficial or sentimental approaches. Instead, they encourage a mature and deeply rooted love for the Mother of God.

Marian teaching

Reliable Mariological resources equip readers with the language and understanding necessary to communicate Marian teaching effectively to others. Whether in preaching, catechesis, or personal conversation, reliable Marian resources provide the tools needed to share the beauty and truth of Marian doctrine with clarity and confidence. 

For those entrusted with pastoral care or formation, families and workplace, Marian resources are valuable in helping to articulate the place of Mary within the broader context of Christian faith and life.

Why not read Mariological resource books?

Engagement with Marian resource books may greatly enrich one’s spiritual life. Regular reading and thoughtful reflection upon Mariology may deepen personal prayer, strengthen devotion, and draw the soul closer to Christ Whose Life was so closely interlinked with that of His Mother. 

Marian resources inform the mind and nourish the soul, making them valuable companions for anyone who desires to grow in knowledge, love, and faithful devotion within the life of the Church.

Where do I find Marian resources?

There are free Marian resources within the Marian Praise blog. Encyclicals from the Holy Fathers may be found online, such as Marialis Cultus and Redemptoris Mater. 

Marian Library:

An excellent resource library is that found within the University of Dayton, Ohio.

https://udayton.edu/marianlibrary/index.php

Marialis Cultus, Saint Paul VI, 1974

https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19740202_marialis-cultus.html

Redemptoris Mater, Saint John Paul II, 1987

https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19740202_marialis-cultus.html

Image courtesy of Freepik and CN Whittle "Marian book" 

With thanks to vatican.va and udayton.edu.marianlibrary

With thanks to youtube

MARY, MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

 

"It is the blessed Virgin Mary who faithfully and lovingly leads us to her divine Son with the maternal counsel, "Do whatever He tells you" (Jn 2:5). She is the Mother of the Redeemer who, when He was consummating the work of our salvation, gave His Mother to the Church to be her Mother always:  "Woman, behold your son! . . . Behold your Mother!" (Jn 19:26-27)

[1] Mark Miravalle, Ed. Mariology; a guide for priests, deacons, seminarians, and consecrated persons. 2007. USA: Wisdom Books (a Division of Queenship Publishing). Page xix

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Mother of the Church" 

MOTHER MARY, WOMAN OF THE EUCHARIST

"Referring to the relationship of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Eucharistic faith and devotion, Pope Benedict XVI declared: 

In her we find realized most perfectly the essence of the Church.  The Church sees in Mary  - "Woman of the Eucharist," as she is  called by the Servant of God John Paul II - her finest icon, and she contemplates Mary as a singular model of Eucharistic life . . . From Mary we must learn to become men and women of the Eucharist and of the Church, and thus to present ourselves, in  the words of Saint Paul, "holy and blameless" before the Lord, even as He wished us to be from the beginning." (cf. Col 1:22; Eph 1:4) [1]

[1] Mark Miravalle, Ed. Mariology; a guide for priests, deacons, seminarians, and consecrated persons. 2007. USA: Wisdom Books (a Division of Queenship Publishing). Page xix

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Mother Mary and Jesus in church"