The month of May in our Catholic tradition is dedicated to the Mother of God. May is Mary’s month during which many parishes observe traditional rituals and devotions to the Blessed Mother. One of which is the crowning with flowers of a statue of Mary in recognition of her Queenship. When the Holy Spirit fell on the Church at Pentecost, Mary, the Mother of Jesus was present. On the Monday following Pentecost Sunday we celebrate Mary, the Mother of the Church which recognizes that She was filled as were the Apostles with the effects of the Holy Spirit and that there is no church without Her presence. Mary always points to Christ and not only in the month of May but in every month of the year.
This May 2021 our Holy Father Pope Francis called for a global prayer marathon at 30 Marian Shrines around the world with the intention of offering prayers to the Blessed Mother for the end to the pandemic that continues to cause disaster and human suffering in the world. The litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary invokes her with beautiful and powerful titles, the Health of the Sick and the Comforter of the Afflicted. Each day in May there has been a livestream from one of the chosen Marian shrines and a particular prayer intention has been announced. It has been an inspirational event invoking the Mother of God on behalf of those in danger. On Monday, May 31st from the Vatican the Holy Father will conclude this marathon month of invoking the Mother of God. The English language list of shrines and prayer intentions can be found at https://bit.ly/3gMANYS.
At the conclusion of each prayer service at the particular shrine the prayer Sub Tuum Praesiduum is recited. We fly to thy protection, O Holy Mother of God, despise not our necessity but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen.
I learned this prayer in the fourth grade and over these many years have prayed it in all sorts of personal situations when I felt danger was near. Perhaps, you have done the same? The prayer has strengthened me and assured me of God’s presence and the intercession of the Mother of Jesus on my behalf when I experienced fear.
The reference to the Acts of the Apostles 12:5, which headlined this Papal initiative, refers to the young Church praying for Peter, its leader, when he was in prison facing a very dangerous situation and God acted on his behalf and rescued him. The same liberating power of God can be experienced by us through the intercession of the Mother of God. For example, in the recitation of the Rosary, the repetition of the Hail Mary can calm us and the Mystery of Faith that introduces each decade of the Rosary reminds us of the past action of our God and God’s continuous acting on our behalf.
This marathon of prayer calls upon Mary with love and seeks her aid. She is truly the Mother of God; our Mother; the Mother of the Church. When we pray the Rosary each Hail Mary involves us in a conversation with God. We address her with the God-inspired greetings she received from the Angel Gabriel and from her cousin Elizabeth. She is “full of grace.” Her unique status among all women and men. She is who she is by God’s grace.
Although this pandemic seems to be lifting in our country, let us continue to turn to Mary for consolation for those who grieve the loss of a loved one from the virus; let us remember those around the world who still face mortal danger from the COVID; let us thank God for those whose selfless service has been on display during this emergency, first responders, medical personnel and scientists; and let us pray for ourselves “now and at the hour of death. Amen.”
When I was a boy my mother taught me The Memorare and I pray it every night before I sleep. It was written by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Teach this powerful invocation of the Blessed Mother to the younger generations. Share it with them, so that when danger raises its ugly face in their future, they can pray to the Mother of God.
Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to they protection, implored thy help, or sought they intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate despise not my petitions but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.