Honoring Mary in the Beauty of Spring
Cherry and apple tree blossoms are painting the landscape with shades of rose, white, and purple, while trees burst forth with fresh green leaves. Springtime in Minnesota, with all its beauty and promise of new life, seems a fitting season to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the month of May, Catholics throughout the world give special devotion to Mary, the Mother of God and our spiritual mother.
The tradition of honoring Mary in May dates back centuries. Crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth, Mary holds a unique place among the saints as the mother of Christ. With so many feast days and devotions dedicated to her, May has long become known as the month of “The Lady.”
May Marian Days:
- May 1 – Our Lady, Queen of May. While not an official feast day, it marks the beginning of the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and is often celebrated with a May Crowning ceremony.
- May 13 – Our Lady of Fatima
- May 24 – Mary, Help of Christians
- May 31 – The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Depending on the date of Easter, other Marian observances may also fall in May, including the First Saturday devotion, Our Lady, Queen of Apostles on the Saturday after Ascension, and Mary, Mother of the Church on the Monday after Pentecost.
Many people remember the cherished tradition of May Crowning, which continues in some places around the world today. Processions to statues of Mary often include praying the Rosary and placing flower crowns upon her statue. Crowning Mary is a visible expression of her role as Queen of Heaven and Earth, Queen of May, Queen of the Apostles, and Queen of the Universe.
Catholics turn to the Blessed Mother for prayer and intercession, much as we ask friends and family members to pray for our loved ones and us. Our faith also reminds us that we are united in the Communion of Saints, where the bonds of prayer connect both the living and those who have gone before us in faith.
Throughout our Catholic cemeteries, statues of Mary, Mother of God, stand as signs of faith, hope, and love. Through her role in salvation history, Mary continues to draw us closer to the divine.
For those who are grieving, the sight of a Mary statue in a cemetery brings a sense of comfort and reassurance. The compassionate gaze and gentle demeanor of Mary are seen as a maternal presence, offering solace. The statues also serve as a visual reminder of the Catholic belief in the resurrection and the hope of eternal life. -Jennie Johnson, Creator and Host of The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery
In times of sorrow, Mary offers hope. She reminds us that even amid loss, God’s love remains constant and eternal.
The next time you visit one of our Catholic cemeteries, pause for a moment beside a statue or image of Mary. Find comfort in her presence and reassurance in her prayers. As the beauty of spring surrounds us and new life unfolds once again, may we turn to Mary in prayer and entrust to her care both ourselves and our loved ones who await eternal life.
Sources:
https://crosscatholic.org/blogs/2026/02/honoring-mary-in-the-month-of-may/
