May

Marys
Month
 IN 1883 POPE LEO XIII
BEGAN THE PRACTICE OF
DEDICATING THE MONTH
OF MAY TO MARY THE
MOTHER OF JESUS.

WHY??????????
 BECAUSE IN GREEK AND ROMAN CLUTURE
MAY WAS ALWAYS KNOWN TO BE THE
SEASON OF NEW LIFE.

IN GREEK CULTURE PEOPLE CELEBRATED

ARTEMIS THE GODDESS OF FRUITFULNESS OR
FERTILITY DURING MAY

IN ROMAN CLUTURE THEY CELEBRATED FLORA

THE GODDESS OF BLOSSOM DURING MAY
 THEREFORE IN CHRISTIANITY THE CHURCH
BEGAN TO SEE THAT MAY WAS ALL ABOUT NEW
LIFE AND MOTHERHOOD AND THERE WAS A
DECISION MADE BY POPE LEO TO ADOPT THE
MONTH OF MAY AS MARYS MONTH

ALSO IN MAY WE CELBRATE PENTECOST-JUST

AFTER EASTER AND PENETCOST WAS THE BIRTH
OF THE CHRISTIAN CHUCH THROROUGH THE
HOLY SPIRIT WHEN THE APOSTLES WERE SENT
OUT TO PREACH THE NEWS OF JESUS
 MARY IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE MOTHER OF
THE CHURCH

WE THE PEOPLE ARE THE CHURCH SO MARY

IS OUR MOTHER.....
HOW WE CELEBRATE MARY IN MAY
Say the Rosary
Wearing of symbols associated with Mary e.g.
brown scapular, miraculous medals, rosary beads
Make a May alter
May processions
Songs
Many children celebrate their 1st holy
communion in May where they join with Mary
and Jesus at the table of the lord....
 Litanies to Mary
V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven: -- Have mercy on us. (repeat at end of each phrase.)
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world:
God, the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,
Holy Mary, -- Pray for us. (repeat at end of each phrase.)
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
Mother of Christ,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Saviour,
Virgin most prudent,

(the list continues and we all respond pray for us see link
http://www.wf-f.org/LitanyBVM.html)