Friday, May 1, 2009

Month of May, Month of Mary



The month of May is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Mother of God. As Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen says in Divine Intimacy:
It is a great comfort on our spiritual way, which is often fatiguing and bristling with difficulties, to meet the gentle presence of a mother. One is so at ease near one's mother. With her, everything becomes easier; the weary, the discouraged heart, disturbed by storms, finds new hope and strength, and continues the journey with fresh courage.
(Picture courtesy of House Art Journal)

May processions and crownings are beautiful traditions. A simple May altar in the home is lovely as well.

May is also a good time to make the rosary a part of one's daily devotions, if it is not already. Here are the words of St. Louis de Montfort on the history of the rosary. Here is a wonderful site which details the history of prayer beads in general and the rosary in particular.

Here is a "May Day Carol," a folk song we sang at school in Maryland.
The moon shines bright, the stars give a light
A little before 'tis day
Our Heavenly Father, he called to us
And bid us awake and pray.

Awake, awake, oh pretty, pretty maid
Out of your drowsy dream
And step into your dairy below
And fetch me a bowl of cream

If not a bowl of thy sweet cream
A cup to bring me cheer
For the Lord knows when we shall meet again
To go Maying another year.

A branch of May I've brought you here
And at your door I stand
'Tis nothing but a sprout, but it's well budded out
By the work of our Lord's hand.

My song is done and I must be gone
No longer can I stay
So it's God bless you all, both great and small
And send you a joyful May.

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy month!! :>

elena maria vidal said...

same to you!

May said...

Happy 1st of May!

Sarah said...

What a beautiful image of the Blessed Mother and Baby Jesus! Thank you for these ideas. My daughter's school ends the year with a very beautiful May crowning, which I am looking forward to again very soon. Oh, and the photo of the little tea party (with Mary's statue in the background) is simply precious =) God bless!

elena maria vidal said...

God bless you and thank you for visiting, Sarah. The image is one of my favorites of Mary!

gsk said...

Where in Maryland, Elena? I grew up in Annapolis (but of course wasn't Catholic then).

elena maria vidal said...

Frederick County. We lived outside of Urbana and went to Urbana Elementary School, where there was a phenomenal music teacher named Mrs. Margaret Russell. She had us singing Handel's "Messiah" and Schubert's "Ave Maria" as well as many old folk songs.

elena maria vidal said...

You grew up in Annapolis? Going there was always a treat for me. It still is. My mother lives about 30 minutes from Annapolis on the eastern shore. And my first book signing for Madame Royale was at the Barnes and Nobles in Annapolis.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful picture of the baby at her outdoor tea party! And what a beautiful post.

Happy May! :)

O Virgins of virgins, Our Mother, pray for us!

elena maria vidal said...

Amen.

And a Happy May to you!