It is hard to believe we are in the month of May and still in sheltering-in-place in New Jersey. In Atlantic City, as the weather warms up and the flowers begin to bloom, I feel a new sense of joyful hope. A title of Our Blessed Mother that I especially love is “Our Lady of Joyful Hope.” Hope that there may be an end to these unusual times, social distancing and, more importantly, the coronavirus. And a hope and joy that comes with the message of Our Lady as we honor her in this month of May.
May is a time of remembering Our Blessed Mother and showing her special honor and devotion. Our beloved Holy Father has asked that we pray the Rosary in this month of May, contemplating the face of Christ through the Heart of Mary. This time of crisis has potential to unite us as a family, and what better way to come together as a family than to pray the Holy Rosary?
May is a time of remembering our Heavenly Mother, and the need for a mother as well as a father. Jesus has shown us total trust and abandonment in His relationship with His Father; He was obedient to His Father “even unto death, death on a cross.” He also knew we needed a mother in Our Family the Church. He felt that a mother was of such importance that he gave His Mother to us at the foot of the cross. One of His last words was to His Mother and the beloved disciple: “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” Each one of us can insert his or her name in the place of the beloved disciple. May is also a time of remembering and honoring all mothers living and deceased. They deserve a special honor, because they give us life, love, nurturing and so much more. They are the unsung heroes of our time. How much more can be said of the Mother of God in this month of May!
May is a time of traditionally having a May crowning and processions to show our love and devotion to Our Blessed Mother. Our Lady of Fatima had even asked for a procession with her statue. Oftentimes there are frequent candlelit processions at Marian shrines such as Lourdes and Fatima that occur weekly and even daily. If you have ever experienced them, you know the power in numbers and tangible peace in praying the Rosary together. In both of these apparitions Our Blessed Mother came to be with her children in need. We, too, are in great need of Our Mother in this time of crisis. We have felt inspired to bring Our Lady around Atlantic City to her children as a reminder that she comes to us in our need. Please join us today from 2-3 pm on the Facebook Page of St. Monica Parish in Atlantic City for a live streamed May Crowning Procession through Atlantic City while, we sing and pray in both Spanish and English.
Sr. Agnes Mary, CFR