May is Mary’s month, a time dedicated in many churches to May crownings. This is often a special time for Catholic school children, with pageantry highlighting a focus on the Mother of God. Many parishes feature solemn Rosary prayer services, with intentions such as the desire for world peace.
For many Catholic women, the imagery, coinciding with the celebration of Mother’s Day, evokes fond memories.
As might be expected, the origins of observing May as Mary’s month has much to do with Spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a time, after the dormant season of winter, where creation bursts forth, seen in new growth of plants and the sounds of birds and other animals.
Medieval Christians celebrated the Spring much like their pagan ancestors did. In ancient times, the month was dedicated to the goddess of fecundity. Christians later celebrated the connection of new life in nature with the role of the Mother of God in the birth of Jesus.
May as Mary’s month took off during the thirteenth century as European Catholics renewed this connection between the life-giving of the Mother of God and the resurgence of natural life they saw around them through feasts and pageantry, as well as sacred devotion.
Among them was Francis of Assisi, a man close to creation. He prayed to enlist Mary as the advocate for his newly-established community. Francis was devoted both to the Incarnate Jesus as well as his mother.
Thomas of Celano, an early Francis biographer and a friar, described the man from Assisi as burning with devotion “toward the Mother of all good.”
Another Franciscan spiritual writer put it this way: “St. Francis could not exalt Mary in praise or serve her too much because it was her who brought the Lord and Savior to our midst.”
This devotion to Mary has been part of Franciscan life for more than 800 years. This month, let us pray that her warm embrace will continue to guide the Franciscan community and their friends and supporters as she continues her advocacy for the friars and their benefactors.
Giving to the Franciscans allows you, in a special way, to join in their special devotion to Our Blessed Mother. Throughout the world, friars are devoting themselves to seeing Jesus and Mary in the poor, assisting them in their needs, whether that be food, education, or the special charism of Franciscan spirituality. A Planned Giving donation not only assists Franciscan ministry but can be part of your overall financial and estate planning. Options for giving are available via bequests, charitable trusts, life insurance policies and retirement accounts. To learn more about how you can help the Franciscan Friars, contact Bro. Paul O’Keeffe, OFM, via email at pokeeffe@friars.us or by calling 646-278-4699.