Why is May the Month of Mary?

For centuries, since the earliest days of the church an entire month was set aside to honor Mary. The season of spring and May is the most appropriate month to celebrate due to the liturgical calendars, former and present, mark several feast days honoring our Blessed Mother (you can see below). 

Marian Feast Days this Month-
May 12th- Our Lady, Queen of Apostles (the Saturday following the Ascension)
May 13th- Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament
                 - Our Lady of Fatima
May 24th- Mary, Help of Christians
May 31st- Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces
                 - The Visitation

The May devotions also were energized by the four authenticated apparitions of our Blessed Mother. (There are many other authenticated apparitions but these are among the most well known) 

In 1830, Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure and instructed her to have the Miraculous Medal struck with the inscription, “Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

In 1846, she appeared to the children of La Salette, France, and tearfully lamented the lax practice of the faith.

In 1858, she appeared to St. Bernadette at Lourdes, identifying herself as the “Immaculate Conception.” Pictured below is what Lourdes lookes like now and the incoruptable body of St. Bernadette. 

On May 13, 1917 she appeared to the three children at Fatima, where she instructed the people to pray the rosary daily for peace. Our parish knows this one well, as we have a Fatima statue in our back parking lot. Pictured below is the three shepard children, the crowds who witnessed the miracle of the sun and Lucia Santos, one of the children who grew up to be a Carmelite nun and assisted in the mission of trying to recreate a statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Lucia would never be satisfied with the final product as it could never capture the heavenly radiance of Mary.   

To Learn about more of the Apparitions check out this link, the Most Complete List of Marian Apparitions. 

Check out our other news article on How Can your Family Celebrate Mary this Month?