Month of Mary Devotion: 7 Beautiful Ways to Honor Our Mother

Every year, the Church dedicates the month of May to Mary, the Mother of God. It’s a time set apart to draw close to Our Lady with love, gratitude, and devotion. Through special prayers, acts of charity, and Marian traditions, Catholics around the world honor the one who said “yes” to God with perfect faith.

Why is May the Month of Mary?

The custom of dedicating May to Mary dates back to the 13th century, but it gained widespread popularity in the 18th century. Spring is a season of new life and beauty—an ideal time to turn our hearts to the most beautiful of all God’s creatures, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Saint Pope Paul VI once wrote, “May is the month which the piety of the faithful has especially dedicated to Our Blessed Lady… a month which for centuries has been given over to her honor.”

A Mother Who Leads Us to Jesus

Mary said yes to God with complete trust. Her fiat—“Let it be done to me according to your word”—opened the door to our Redeemer. She stood at the foot of the Cross and later prayed with the Apostles at Pentecost. Mary is both our mother and our model:

She never draws attention to herself. Instead, she always points us to Jesus: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). When we honor her, we fulfill her own desire—to bring souls to Christ.

When we honor Mary, we are following the example of Christ Himself, who honored His mother with love and obedience.

How to Celebrate the Month of Mary

Here are a few meaningful ways you can honor Our Lady during May:

1. Pray the Rosary Daily

The Rosary is one of the most powerful devotions in the Church. Praying it daily in May is a beautiful way to meditate on the life of Christ through the eyes of Mary.

2. Create a Marian Prayer Space

Set up a small area in your home with a statue or image of Mary, candles, and flowers. This becomes a visual reminder to pause and pray each day.

3. Participate in a May Crowning

Many parishes hold May Crowning ceremonies where children or parishioners place a crown of flowers on a statue of Mary. If your church doesn’t offer one, you can do a simple crowning at home.

4. Sing Marian Hymns

Songs like “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Immaculate Mary,” and “Ave Maria” have long been part of Catholic tradition. Singing or listening to these hymns helps lift our hearts in prayer.

5. Read Marian Writings

Spend time reading Scripture passages about Mary or dive into classic works like True Devotion to Mary (affiliate) by St. Louis de Montfort or 33 Days to Morning Glory (affiliate) by Fr. Michael Gaitley.

6. Wear the Miraculous Medal

This sacramental reminds us to stay close to Mary’s heart. Given to St. Catherine Labouré by the Blessed Mother herself, the Miraculous Medal is a sign of grace and a symbol of Mary’s loving intercession.

7. Practice small sacrifices.

Acts of kindness, patience, or self-denial offered in her honor please her deeply. These little offerings can be united with Mary’s own self-giving love.

Mary, Our Guide and Intercessor

In times of joy, sorrow, and need, Mary stands beside us as a spiritual mother. She knows what it means to trust God through uncertainty. She intercedes for us with a tender heart and leads us gently but surely to Jesus.

Let this month be a time of renewal—a time to grow in love for Mary and deepen your relationship with Christ. Whether through simple prayers, acts of service, or quiet moments before her image, may you find peace in her presence and strength in her example.

As St. Maximilian Kolbe said, “Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did.”

O Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.