May 2026

During the month of May, every day is Mother’s Day to the Marian heart! The month of May, dedicated to the Blessed Mother gives us a significant span of time to reflect and celebrate the wonders of God’s marvelous plan in creating His own Mother, Mary, who He then gifted to us before His death on the Cross.

The tradition of devoting an entire month to Mary began in the 13 th century. By the 18 th century, the Jesuit order promoted this practice in May throughout their colleges and schools, making it more of a fixture on the Catholic calendar. Holy Father, Pope Pius VII noticed and endorsed “Mary’s Month” in 1815, bringing it into even greater view on the Catholic landscape. In 1945, Pope Pius XII, formalized May as the “Month of Mary” making it a universal practice for Catholics in parishes, homes, schools and especially in our hearts.

Just as the Easter Season is coming to its sunset for this liturgical year, we see Mary’s shrines in and outside of the parish and home come alive! Mary’s images are smothered in floral arrangements large and small. May crownings prevail amid a background of Ave’s and hymns. Yes, during the month of Mary, every day is Mother’s Day to the Marian heart!

Jesus is the purpose for our devotion to Mary. She who knows, loves and serves Jesus best on earth and in heaven will share with us the treasures of her heart – particularly the gift of a greater love for God – when we foster a loving devotion to her.

Why is devotion to Mary so dear to Catholics young and old? What does true devotion to Mary look like? What are its fruits? For these, and many other queries, we turn to St. Louis Marie de Montfort (1673-1716), who wrote the classic text, “Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary” which has been republished over 400 times and in 30 languages. Here are a few reflections from him:

“It was through Mary that God the Father gave His Only begotten to the world.”

“The Son of God became man for our salvation: but it was in Mary and by Mary. God the

Holy Ghost formed Jesus Christ in Mary: but it was only after having asked her

consent…”

“God the Son descended into her virginal womb as the New Adam into His terrestrial

paradise, to take His pleasure there, and to work secret marvels of grace.”

St. Louis further proposes the qualities of a true devotion to Mary in his teachings:

Characteristics of True Devotion to Mary

Interior: It comes from the mind and heart – it flows from our esteem and the high idea we have of her greatness – it comes from our love for her

Tender: It is full of confidence in Mary as a child has confidence in his mother. The devotee turns to Mary in joys and sorrows – in all evils of body and mind, the soul turns to Mary, all the better to serve Jesus

Holy: It leads the devotee to avoid sin and to grow in the virtues Mary practiced such as humility, faith, continual prayer, universal mortification, ardent charity and heroic patience

Constant: The devotee becomes confirmed in good and does not easily abandon her resolves – courage in opposing the world, the flesh and the devil – lives by faith when life becomes tedious

Disinterested: It leads us not to love Jesus through Mary in order to get something for ourselves but for God only – loves not just when things go well for him but for the honor of belonging to God through the same means He came to us, through Mary.

Let us spend this month with gratitude towards God’s gift of His holy Mother. It is a beneficial time to renew our devotion to Mary and to share it with our children. A May shrine in the home or garden can be easily staged and an image of Mary crowned as Queen of our Hearts. Pray Mary’s favorite prayer, the Rosary and imitate her virtues in daily life.

Ave Maria, Mater Misericordia, ora pro nobis!

Acknowledgements & Resources

De Montfort, St. Louis, 1967, True Devotion to Mary, Revised Ed. Montfort Fathers, Bay Shore, NY

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/why-is-may-the-month-of-mary