May 1, 2024 

During this month we will be celebrating some feast days of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mary appeared to three children in Fatima urging them to say the rosary. She then said she was ‘Our Lady of the Rosary.’ There is also ‘‘The Visitation’, when Mary exercised being a humble servant as she went out to visit her cousin Elizabeth. As soon as they met, Mary poured out the prayer of the Magnificat. There is also the feast of the 160th anniversary of the apparitions of Mary at Lourdes. Pope Francis called her the ‘Mother of the Church’.   Of course let’s not forget; Mother’s day.

We are inviting you during this month of May to recite the rosary; the excellent prayer to the Mother of God.  Since it is still the season of Easter let us meditate on the mysteries that Mary lived during the passion of her son Jesus. Mary was very close to Jesus. Pope John Paul II said “Mary was the disciple par excellence, the perfect follower of Christ.”  Let us also be close to Mary and offer our prayers and trust God to do great things for our society; for the countries who are experiencing war, for prisoners.  Let us pray for peace in our hearts, peace in our families and peace among all nations.

During her life time, Saint Marie Rivier would say, ‘I obtained everything from Mary’, that is, for her community needs.She had a great devotion and would put all her trust in her.

Also Father Patrick Peyton, known as ‘The Rosary Priest’, would say, “The family that prays together, stays together”.

Mary is our model of faith.  Let us confide to her all our needs for our friends, our relations etc.  She is our Mother and Guardian.  Let us contemplate and honor her son Jesus and ask Mary to intercede for us as we contemplate: ‘the five Glorious Mysteries’ of the rosary.

  1. The Resurrection of Our Lord (John 20:1-29)
  2. The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven (Luke 24:36-53)
  3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Virgin Mary and the Apostles at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41)
  4. The Assumption of the Virgin Mary into Heaven (Pope Pius XII 1950)
  5. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth (Revelation 12:1)

Hail Mary, full of grace.  The Lord is with thee.  Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.