Marian Devotions

The month of May is dedicated in a special way to the Virgin Mary. These devotions may assist you in celebrating this month so as to be drawn closer to her son, Jesus.

Mary Garden

A Mary Garden is a small space, often centered on a statue of the Blessed Virgin, planted with various flowers associated with her. The practice originated in medieval Europe and is often associated with St. Fiacre of Breuil (patron of Irish gardeners). Traditional flowers used in Mary Gardens include lilies, roses, marigolds, irises, the star of Bethlehem, and herbs.

Young children will love getting into the dirt and helping care for the garden. As you plant each flower, say a Hail Mary.

Marian Consecration

In the 18th century St. Louis de Montfort developed the process that later became the popular Consecration to Jesus through Mary. This series of beautiful prayers and contemplations, prayed over the course of about a month, culminate in a vow or consecration of one’s whole self – body, mind, and spirit – to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This is undertaken with the understanding that no one can possibly do the will of Christ more perfectly than the Blessed Mother herself, and therefore, if we allow her to use us to achieve that heavenly will, we are that much closer to Jesus.

In recent years this special devotion has been streamlined in books such as 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley. Fr. Gaitley’s condensed consecration simplifies the various prayers, making them capable of being prayed and pondered over amidst our busy lives.

Angelus/Regina Cæli

For centuries Christian have paused three times a day (usually at 9a, noon, and 6p) to remember the Annunciation to Mary and Jesus' incarnation by praying the Angelus. Between Easter and Pentecost the Regina Cæli is prayed instead.

Set an alarm on your phone to remind you to pray at one or more of these times, or use an app such as the University of Notre Dame's 3D Catholic.

Rosary

The Rosary was described by St. John Paul II as "a prayer of great significance" through which "the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love."

Praying the Rosary as a family is an excellent way to help young children learn and memorize the basic prayers of our Catholic faith. Don't worry if little ones are squirmy or inattentive during the prayer; allow them to participate as they are able and rest assured that simply seeing others engaged in prayer is forming them for greater participation in the future.

During the month of May you may consider holding a Rosary Potluck by inviting friends and family into your home to share a dish and pray the Rosary together.

Icons and Holy Images

For centuries the Church has used sacred artwork to draw us into deeper contemplation of Jesus and the saints. Indeed, some of the earliest Christian artwork depicts the Mother of God! If you don’t have any sacred artwork in your home, find an image of Mary or the Holy Family to put in a prominent space in your home. Spend some time in quiet contemplation of the image, asking God to help you conform your faith and life with those of the Blessed Virgin.

Visit a local Catholic bookstore to find good religious artwork for your home. If there is none in your area, the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey have a nice selection of modern icons for purcahse.

Feast Days

Throughout the liturgical year the Church sets aside certain days in honor of Mary. Two important Marian feasts take place in May: Our Lady of Fatima (May 13) and the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (May 31). Try to attend Mass on one of these days and celebrate as a family by preparing a special meal in Mary’s honor.

Litanies

There are various litanies (series of petitions, usually prayed in a call-and-answer format) which help Christians reflect on the titles of Mary and plead for her intercession. Among the most popular are the Litany of Loreto, the Litany of Our Lady of Hope, and the Litany of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Books on Mary and Her Devotions

• 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley (Marian Press, 2011)
• A Book of Marian Prayers: A Compilation of Marian Devotions from the Second to the Twenty-First Century (Loyola Press, 2011)
• Hail, Holy Queen: The Mother of God in the Word of God by Scott Hahn (Doubleday, 2001)
• Images of Mary by Fr. Alfred McBride (Saint Anthony Messenger Press, 1999)
• Linking Your Beads: The Rosary's History, Mysteries, and Prayers by Patricia Ann Kasten (Our Sunday Visitor, 2011)
• Manual for Marian Devotion by the Dominican Sisters of Mary (TAN Books, 2016)
• Praying the Rosary Like Never Before: Encounter the Wonder of Heaven and Earth by Edward Sri (Servant Books, 2017)
• Wholly Mary: Mother of God by Chris Padgett (Servant Books, 2011)