On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics, a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.
I went to Mass for the first time in a long time with a friend , and I’d forgotten about how into Mary Catholics are–dedicating a whole month to her, it seems. I couldn’t remember why that is, nor could my friend. Help!
Mary and May have been linked for centuries, perhaps because in the northern hemisphere, May is the month by which the earth bursts forth with full-fledged spring and renewal–no more chances of serious, long-lasting cold weather and snow, but still a bit early for long-running spells of uncomfortable heat. In short, beautiful weather for a beautiful woman. It’s likely this is also the reason so many cultures honor mothers during the month of May. For Catholics, the month culminates on May 31 with the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when the pregnant girl went to visit her relative Elizabeth.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI issued an encyclical regarding Mary and prayers during May. His beautiful writing includes this:
“We are delighted and consoled by this pious custom associated with the month of May, which pays honor to the Blessed Virgin and brings such rich benefits to the Christian people. Since Mary is rightly to be regarded as the way by which we are led to Christ, the person who encounters Mary cannot help but encounter Christ likewise.”
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