Tis the month of May, ‘tis the month of Mary.”  This little phrase came to me as I prepared this reflection. Traditionally, the Church has dedicated the month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Praying the Rosary brings to the fore the power of prayer in times of danger, and in particular, the intercession of the Virgin, to whom Christians have had recourse since the dawn of the Gospel.

This year, Pope Francis encourages the faithful, families, and communities to recite the Rosary joining him in a “Marian Marathon” to implore Mary to put an end to the Covid-19 pandemic. Each day in May the recitation of the Rosary will be broadcast from various shrines of the world across Vatican Media’s platforms via Vatican News at 6 PM Rome time. (cf. News from the Vatican – News about the Church – Vatican News).Pope Francis will lead the Rosary on May 1 and May 31.  This initiative was organized by the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.

As we continue our preparation to celebrate 225 years of the founding of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary we remember Mother Rivier’s very special relationship with Mary. As a toddler, she was healed after four years of daily prayer and supplication before a statue of the Pieta.  Throughout her life she prayed at Marian shrines in the region for the various needs of the Congregation. Mother Rivier was beatified on May 23rd 1982.

Mother’s Day is celebrated this year on Sunday, May 9.  We show our gratitude and love to our mothers in a way special to each family.  It is fitting to ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to watch over and care for our mothers.  If our mother has already joined Mary in heaven, our prayer could also extend to all mothers on earth.

There is an abundance of prayers, hymns, litanies, etc. to Mary and in her honor throughout the different seasons of the year.

During Easter Time, the Regina Coeli is recited: V/ Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia. R/ The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia. V/ Has risen, as he said, alleluia. R/ Pray for us to God, alleluia. V/ Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R/ For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia. Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Holy Mary, mother fair,
Filled with love for God,
ray for us in all our needs.

Pray for us today.