May holds a special significance for Catholics across the globe, as it is traditionally dedicated to the Virgin Mary. As the mother of Jesus, Mary has been a central figure in the Catholic faith since its very beginning, and Her significance shines particularly bright during this month. Devotion to Mary transcends mere cultural customs or sentimental feelings; it is a profound expression of Catholic theology and spirituality. In this blog, we’ll delve into the reasons behind Mary’s vital role in Catholicism and the various ways devotion to Her are expressed within the faith.

Mary was created with a unique purpose—she is the Daughter of the Father, the Mother of the Son, and the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. In Her, we see the quintessential embodiment of daughterhood, motherhood, and spousal love. She is the daughter of Anne and Joachim, the Mother of Jesus and Spiritual Mother of all humanity (given to us, through the Apostle John, by Jesus as He hung upon the Cross), and the wife of Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. Every woman is called to imitate Mary, the perfect woman, in living out their particular vocation in life. God loves each of us personally. His love transcends all earthly understanding.

God the Father and Creator is the source of our very being. He has a plan specifically tailored for each of us and guides us along our unique journeys. Just as Mary responded with her “FIAT” at the Annunciation, we too should strive to embrace God’s Will for our lives, obeying His Commandments and the authentic Magisterium and approaching Him as children approach a loving Father. He created us with immeasurable love and care for every detail of our being. Each of us is unique and unrepeatable; we can place all our trust in Him just as Mary did. Jesus makes Himself vulnerable for us, humbling Himself to become fully present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the appearance of bread and wine. As the Good Shepherd He feeds His flock, not with material bread, but with Himself in the Eucharist, the pledge of Eternal Life.

True devotion to Mary, always leads us closer to Jesus, in the Holy Mass, in Eucharistic Adoration and in the Sacred Scriptures. Moreover, when in the State of Grace, He lives in us, as in a temple. It is our duty to protect and nurture His presence, to carry Him into the world, sharing His message and boundless love and boundless hope with those around us. When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, where He is present in the greatest degree, we become living tabernacles for ten to fifteen minutes after Holy Communion. We could imagine with what profound reverence Mary, received Jesus in Holy Communion, let’s all aim to imitate Her, for She is the first and greatest disciple.

Mary as Spouse of the Holy Spirit, is like a magnet who attracts the Holy Spirit to increase in the life of Her devotees. We are encouraged to invoke the Holy Spirit through Her:

Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Your well-beloved Spouse.

An equally important aspect of Mary’s role in the Catholic faith is her power as an intercessor. Catholics believe that Mary can advocate for them and present their prayers to Jesus. We just need to remember the example of interceding for the young married couple at the Wedding Feast of Cana. Jesus doesn’t refuse His Mother anything.

This belief in Her intercessory power is beautifully expressed through various devotions, such as the Rosary. The Rosary is a prayer practice that involves reciting specific prayers while reflecting on key events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. One of the most well-known prayers in the Rosary, the Hail Mary, specifically appeals for her intercession:

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

There are Fifteen Promises of the Rosary approved by the Church which we should never forget:

1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces.

2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.

3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armour against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.

4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of people from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.

5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.

6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life.

7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.

8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in Paradise.

9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.

10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.

11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.

12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.

13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.

14. All who recite the Rosary are my children, and brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.

15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.

THE VIRGIN MARY IN THE KINGDOM OF THE DIVINE WILL