What We Love: May Marian Devotion
May has always been one of my favorite months, not just because of the flower blossoms, but because of the prominent presence and celebration of Mary throughout the Church during this month that is solely devoted to her. May crownings and Marian prayers or feasts are a lovely way to honor our heavenly mother. In addition to sharing some of our favorite Marian devotions below, look out for some upcoming articles that focus on the different lessons some of our writers have learned from Mary’s life of virtue
Carolyn: Our Lady of Loreto
I love Our Lady of Loreto so much that I wrote a book about her! I can’t remember how I came across her, but after living in the city for several years I began to pray about moving back to my childhood home when I stumbled across this devotion. Turns out, Loreto is the name attributed to the Blessed Mother’s childhood home...ie, where the Annunciation occurred! Because Loreto is a home, it’s a perfect devotion for families.
Olivia: Our Lady of Lourdes
I grew up under the mantle of Our Lady of Lourdes having lived my childhood and teenage years a stone’s throw away from America’s oldest replica of the Grotto of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Maryland. In 2011 for World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, our group made a side-trip pilgrimage to Lourdes, France; I was elated to finally visit the original grotto where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette and where I could bathe in the miraculous mountain waters. A little more than a year later, I had the opportunity to return to the Grotto, this time as a volunteer. I spent a week with other women from around the world helping the pilgrims in the piscines (French for bath) and came away with the understanding that Our Lady speaks to us through the language of love. I certainly keep Our Lady of Lourdes close to my heart, and I’m confident that she keeps me close to hers.
Johanna: Memorare
Growing up my mom used to pray this in the car on our way to school. She always talked about the importance of inviting Our Lady to accompany us throughout the day and to bring to her all of our sorrows and challenges. Nowadays, with the school-runs years behind me, I am constantly reminded of my need for this prayer. It's hope-filling, and a constant reminder that we are loved and cared for a daily basis.
Lindsey: Mary, Undoer of Knots
This title of Our Lady came to me by way of Pope Francis and the Pray More Novenas ministry. The devotion shares its name with a Baroque painting, which is definitely worth praying with if you ever have the chance. A favorite line from the novena prayer is “Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life.” The ribbon of my life--what an image! In coming to Mary under the title of Undoer of Knots, I’m invited to share with her my struggles, trusting she will bring them to Jesus for untangling.
Mercedes: Mother of Mercy
I hold this Marian title close to my heart. Before my conversion to Catholicism in high school, I memorized the “Hail Holy Queen” for religion class, and I recall feeling particularly struck by the prayers’ remarkable proclamations of Mary’s character. In her identity as Mother of Mercy, we can discover Mary’s graciousness, her tenderness, her advocacy, and her intense understanding of the fickleness of the human heart. Cultivating a devotion to Mother of Mercy inspires humility and invites us to rest in Mary’s generous, forgiving heart.
Hannah: Our Lady of Perpetual Help
My devotion to this particular title of Mary developed after seeing the icon this name originates from. There’s so much beautiful symbolism in this image that I wrote an article about it. The icon features four figures: Mary, the infant Jesus, and two angels (supposedly Sts. Michael and Gabriel) who are located in the upper corners of the icon. Mary is holding the infant Jesus while he looks up at one of the angels, both of whom are carrying weapons of the crucifixion (one holds a lance and sponge, the other a cross and nails). What struck me the most about the image was seeing the child Jesus kicking off his shoe while looking at the weapons. I later found out that this was meant to convey his fear––he didn’t want to face his passion or the suffering he knew he’d have to face. And then you notice Mary, cradling Jesus and holding his hands. Our mother of perpetual help, of perpetual comfort. This image has encouraged me to turn to Our Lady of Perpetual help when I’m asked to take up a heavy cross. Despite the weight of the cross, I know she’ll be there to help me and to teach me to follow the Lord’s will––even when I’m fighting off fear.
