In the Catholic tradition, the month of May has been consecrated as a special period of Marian devotion to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. It is a time when the faithful gather to honor and venerate the Blessed Mother through prayer, processions and other expressions of filial love.
Marythe mother of Jesus, occupies a central place in the Catholic faith as an example of faith, humility and obedience. Getting to know her through prayer allows us to deepen our relationship with her and better understand her role in the history of salvation. Pope Saint John Paul II, one of the most devoted to Mary, expressed: “The Mother of God is also our Mother, and the intimate relationship of each of us with her is the essence of our relationship with the Son and with the Holy Trinity”.
You can use the Catholic Mass Times app to find the nearest Catholic church with Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules. It will surely help you! Download it now.
Promises of the Virgin Mary to Devotees of the Holy Rosary
The rosary, one of the most popular forms of Marian prayer, is a special way to encounter Mary. By reciting the prayers of the rosary and meditating on the mysteries of Jesus’ life, we unite ourselves with Mary in her contemplation of the salvific events.
The Virgin Mary has made numerous promises to those who devoutly pray the rosary. These promises include Mary’s special intercession at the hour of death, the grace of conversion for sinners, protection against spiritual and physical dangers, and assistance in obtaining the necessary graces for our salvation. These promises reflect Mary’s maternal love for all her children and her desire to lead us to her Son, Jesus Christ.
According to Blessed Alan, these are the promises of Our Lady for those who frequently and devoutly pray the Marian prayer:
1. Those who pray the Rosary with great faith will receive special graces.
2. I promise my protection and the greatest graces to those who pray the Rosary.
3. The Rosary is a powerful weapon to avoid hell: it destroys vices, diminishes sins, and defends us against heresies.
4. Virtue and good works will abound, God’s mercy will be granted to souls, it will withdraw the hearts of men from their earthly love and vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. The soul that entrusts itself to me in the Rosary will not perish.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me in the Rosary shall not perish.
6. Whoever prays the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the mysteries as a testimony of life, will not know misfortune. God will not punish him in His justice, he will not have a violent death, and if he is just, he will remain in God’s grace, and will have the reward of eternal life.
7. Those who are true devotees of the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who faithfully pray the Holy Rosary in life and at the hour of their death will find the light of God and the fullness of His grace, at the hour of death they will participate in paradise by the merits of the Saints.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The children devoted to the Rosary will merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. You will obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
12. Those who propagate my Rosary shall be assisted by me in their necessities.
13. My Son has granted me that all those who recommend themselves to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall have the entire celestial court as intercessors during their life and at the hour of death.
14. Those who recite the Rosary are my children, and brothers and sisters of my only son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
Mary as Mother of all men
Marian devotion reminds us that Mary is the mother of all men and women, regardless of their origin, culture, or situation. As a loving mother, Mary welcomes us all under her protective mantle and offers us her tenderness and compassion. In the words of Pope Saint John Paul II: “Mary’s motherhood towards people embraces and encompasses all and each one in the Christ who is born”
Devotions to the Virgin Mary around the World
– Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico): Patroness of America and Empress of the Americas, venerated for her appearance to Juan Diego in 1531.
– Our Lady of Lourdes (France): Known for her appearances to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 and for her miraculous waters.
– Our Lady of Fátima (Portugal): Apparitions of Mary to three shepherd children in Fátima in 1917, where she urged conversion and prayer for peace.
– Our Lady of the Rosary (World): Venerated under this invocation in recognition of the promotion of the rosary as a powerful tool of prayer.
For many Catholics, Mary is a constant source of inspiration and protection in their daily lives. When turning to her in moments of joy, pain, need, or gratitude, they find comfort and strength in her maternal intercession. The month of May offers us a special opportunity to immerse ourselves in the richness of Marian devotion and grow in our relationship with the Mother of God. Through prayer, especially the rosary, we can know Mary more intimately and experience her maternal love in our lives. May this month inspire us to follow the example of faith and dedication of the Blessed Virgin and to always turn to her as our loving and protective mother.
Mary in the Bible: Apparitions and messages of hope
The figure of Mary appears in several passages of the New Testament, where she plays a crucial role in the history of redemption. From her announcement as the mother of the Savior by the angel Gabriel to her presence at key moments in the life of Jesus, Mary is a model of faith and obedience for all Christians. Her appearance at the wedding at Cana, where she intercedes with her Son for the needs of others, is an example of her role as a mediator of grace and help in times of need.
The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception teaches that Mary was conceived without original sin, preparing her to be the worthy mother of the Son of God. This dogma, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854, highlights Mary’s purity and holiness from the moment of her conception. Her perpetual virginity, another important aspect of her being, underscores her total dedication to God and her unique role in salvation history.
A call to Marian Devotion and prayer
In this month of May, we invite you to deepen your relationship with Mary through prayer and devotion. Meditate on the appearances of Mary in the Bible and contemplate her immaculate virginity as a model of purity and dedication to God. Take advantage of this time to pray the rosary, a powerful tool of intercession and Marian contemplation.
In the month of May, we raise our prayers and praise to Mary, the mother of God and our spiritual mother. May her example of faith, humility, and obedience inspire us to follow Jesus more closely and trust in His love and mercy.
May is the ideal month to deepen your Marian devotion and draw closer to the Virgin Mary through the rosary and prayer. Experience this special time by finding Marian celebrations in your city.
You can use the Catholic Mass Times app to find the nearest Catholic church with Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules. It will surely help you! Download it now.
Why Pray to the Virgin Mary?
Praying to the Virgin Mary is turning to a mother who intercedes for us. Her maternal love and closeness to Jesus make the rosary a profound way of encountering God. Through Mary, many faithful find comfort, spiritual guidance, and grace in times of need.
How Did Marian Devotion Originate?
Marian devotion has roots in the first centuries of Christianity, when the faithful began to honor Mary for her role in redemption. Over time, it was consolidated through prayers, liturgical feasts, and teachings of saints and Popes who highlighted her holiness and closeness to believers.
Which Saints Promoted Love for the Virgin?
Several saints have promoted devotion to Mary, notably St. John Paul II for his filial love for the Virgin, and Blessed Alan for spreading the promises of the Rosary. These saints helped strengthen trust in Mary’s intercession as a path to Christ.
What Feasts are Associated with Marian Devotion?
Among the main Marian feasts are Our Lady of Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, and the feast of the Rosary. These celebrations bring the faithful together in prayer and gratitude, remembering the various ways Mary has manifested herself as a loving mother and spiritual guide.
How to Live Marian Devotion Today?
Living Marian devotion today involves praying the rosary frequently, meditating on her role in salvation, and turning to her as a mother. The month of May is a special opportunity to renew this relationship through processions, prayers, and acts of faith inspired by her example.
