Mary’s Month

I had this idea that on Saturdays during the month of May, I’d post something about Mary, the Mother of God.  I’m thinkin’ we should take a look at the origins of Marian devotion, the titles under which she is honored, the mysteries of the rosary, and the great music, art and architecture which bears her name.

Pope Paul VI, in his encyclical Mense Maio (On the Month of May) which was published on April 30, 1965, explained the devotion:

May is the “month which the piety of the faithful has especially dedicated to Our Blessed Lady,” and it is the occasion for a “moving tribute of faith and love which Catholics in every part of the world [pay] to the Queen of Heaven. During this month Christians, both in church and in the privacy of the home, offer up to Mary from their hearts an especially fervent and loving homage of prayer and veneration. In this month, too, the benefits of God’s mercy come down to us from her throne in greater abundance.”

This week, I’ve posted “Immaculate Mary” by Colleen Nixon and Jimmy Mitchell, who together perform as Marian Grace.  The video also offers an excellent review of Marian art throughout the ages.