The month of May traditionally honors our mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. This makes it an excellent time to renew your Marian devotions – be that a daily rosary, wearing the miraculous medal, or learning more about her various apparitions. In addition, here are 4 out-of-the-box suggestions to grow closer to Mary this month!
1. Plant and tend a garden
It is nothing new that manual labor and outdoor work can be fruitful for the spiritual life. The stewardship of God’s creation is not only a worthwhile endeavor in itself, but can also provide the perfect hands-on opportunity to reflect on the central truths of the Christian mystery: life and death. Jesus gives us many parables using the imagery of seeds. Choose one such passage and ask Our Lady to help you ponder the depths of the paschal mystery. After all, who better to be your intercessor than the Mother of God who played such a central role in the Incarnation?
Your garden can be as simple as a small pot or raised bed, or as elaborate as a marian grotto. You can even research the countless flowers that are named after Mary (like Rosemary, bluebells, or marigolds)!
For further reading: 12 Plants Named for our Lady and their Pious Legends
2. Bring a meal to a new or pregnant mother
Honor the gift of motherhood, which Mary so perfectly lived out, by helping an expecting mother or new mom with a meal! Not only does this practice hospitality and charity, but it follows the example of Mary herself at the Visitation. Luke 1:39-42 (RSVCE) reads:
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women…”
Not only does Mary’s generosity towards visiting Elizabeth reflect a deeply pro-life message, but so too does Elizabeth’s greeting towards Mary and the unborn Jesus reminds us that every child is a cherished gift. Celebrate the gift of new life in your community by dropping off a celebratory (and helpful!) dinner.
3. See the Madonna and Child in art
There are countless depictions of Madonna and Child from throughout history, region, and culture. Do you have a favorite? Visit an art gallery to surround yourself with beauty while you reflect on the many different depictions of Our Lady’s motherhood. If you are unable to visit a gallery in person, use an online resource (like the National Gallery of Art Online Edition) or check out an art book from your local library. If you find one that you particularly are drawn to, look for a postcard or print that you can display in your home during the month of May or beyond!
4. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter
Mary was no stranger to suffering- recall that she not only endured the journey to Bethlehem while heavily pregnant but once they arrived there was no room at the inn. Even after Jesus’ birth, the Holy Family was without a home:
“…An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod.” (Matthew 2:13-15, RSVCE)
Reflect on the struggle of being a weary traveler, displaced and without a home, by aiding the immediate needs of those suffering from similar circumstances in your own community. Ask Mary to lend you her motherly heart as you spread kindness and compassion to those most in need of your help.
