Dear brothers and sisters: when May arrives, something in the air changes. Flowers bloom, days grow longer, and in many Christian homes, there is an atmosphere of devotion and affection toward the woman God chose to be the mother of Jesus. It is no coincidence that the Church has dedicated this month to the Virgin Mary. It is an invitation to pause, to look to her, and to let her example guide us in our life of faith.
Mary is not a distant or unreachable figure. She is a mother who knows our joys, our struggles, and our hopes. As the Gospel of Luke says, she treasured all these things in her heart (Luke 2:19, NIV). That means she understands what it means to live with doubts, with questions, with the need to trust God even when we don't understand everything. So dedicating a month to Mary is not just an act of tradition; it is an opportunity to grow in our relationship with her and, through her, with Jesus.
What Does Mary Teach Us About Faith?
Mary is the perfect model of the disciple who says "yes" to God. When the angel Gabriel announced that she would be the mother of the Savior, she replied: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38, NIV). That willingness, that humility, is the foundation of authentic faith. Mary did not understand everything, but she trusted. And that trust sustained her in the most difficult moments: from giving birth in a manger to the immense pain of seeing her son on the cross.
In a world that demands we have everything under control, Mary reminds us that true strength lies in surrendering to God's love. She did not seek her own glory but always pointed to Jesus. At the wedding at Cana, when the wine ran out, she did not ask for a miracle for herself; she interceded for others and told the servants: "Do whatever he tells you" (John 2:5, NIV). That is the key: Mary always leads us to Jesus.
Mary's Presence in the Life of the Church
Since the earliest times, Christians have recognized Mary's unique role. In the book of Acts, we see her gathered with the apostles in the upper room, praying and waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14). She was there, at the birth of the Church, as the spiritual mother of all believers. Throughout the centuries, her figure has been a source of comfort, hope, and unity for millions of people.
Today, the Church continues to celebrate her motherhood. Pope Leo XIV, who was elected in May 2025, has emphasized on several occasions the importance of returning to Mary as a path to Jesus. In his early homilies, he recalled that "Mary is the star that guides the Church through the storms of the world." And it is true: in times of uncertainty, looking to Mary gives us peace, because we know she intercedes for us and shows us the way.
How to Live This Marian Month
It's not about doing complicated things. Living May with Mary can be as simple as dedicating a few minutes each day to pray the rosary, to read a Gospel passage where she appears, or simply to talk with her as one talks with a mother. You can light a candle, place a flower before her image, or give thanks for the times you have felt her protection.
One beautiful practice is to consecrate oneself to Mary, as many saints have done throughout history. Saint Louis de Montfort wrote a treatise on total consecration to Jesus through Mary. Saint John Paul II, whose motto was "Totus Tuus" (totally yours), lived that surrender deeply. But you don't need to be a saint to do it: you can simply say to her: "Mary, take my hand and help me follow your Son."
The Rosary: A Prayer That Unites Us
The rosary is perhaps the best-known Marian devotion. Through its mysteries, we meditate on the life of Jesus and Mary. It is not a repetition
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