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On May 8th the Dominicans celebrate the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary over the Whole Order of Preachers. This is done partially because of a vision St. Dominic had in which the Blessed Mother showed him that the order was held in her safety and care directly beneath her Mantle. This vision is often depicted in Dominican churches, as a holy reminder that Mary desires to be our protectress, to help us throughout our life, all the way home to heaven with Jesus.
In May, throughout the universal Church, we show our love and devotion to the Blessed Mother in joy and thanksgiving at having such an advocate and Momma. Not just for a one-day memorial, but for the entire month of May, we are called to remember her, to love her, to grow closer to her as she leads us towards her Son.
The grace of having 31 days to grow in devotion to Mary, much of which falls within the joyous celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord, is one we ought not let slip through our hands. Most of our churches have a May crowning on the first Saturday or Sunday of May. Many of our churches pray the rosary daily. Often, however, this is where our devotion ends.
Perhaps this year, within the remaining days of May, we could practice a simple, daily devotion of recalling all that Our Lady has done for us, in salvation history yes, but even more so, in our own lives and hearts.
Fair Olive Tree in the Plains
This title from the Divine Office of the Roman Rite is explained by Blessed Humbert of Romans in An Exposition of the Constitutions of the Order of Preachers:
(Mary) was given as the patroness to the discouraged, as their advocate. Just as by divine providence Esther was raised on high in the kingdom to be an advocate for the Jewish people, we ought to approach the blessed Virgin with confidence, since it is part of her duty to care for our concerns.
Who comes to her, and she does not aid him? With the sympathy of compassion and the effectiveness of aid, she helps everyone. We read, she is like an olive tree in the fields, not in a garden; so that everyone can share this fruit. She comes to the aid of everyone, the needs of all find compassion in her sympathy. She comes to our aid everywhere; she comes to our aid always.
In the Plains, Mary is for all. No one is barred from coming to her or refused access to her help. This certainly does help those of us who are discouraged in any way, but especially regarding the state of our own souls.
Mary, help
Many years ago, I was living a life far from the graces and shelter of the Sacraments and the Catholic Faith. Things were not going well. At my workplace there was a small statue of Our Lady of Grace. One day, in weariness and discouragement, I looked at it and simply said, “Mary, help.” I thought it was an odd thing to say, and odd to say it to a little plastic statue, but the words came from deep in my heart.
Spiritually speaking, I was decidedly not in a garden. At best it was a rocky plain. But Mary was there, awaiting my request for help. Immediately, events occurred which greatly disrupted my life but set me on a path back towards God and His Church. Even in my darkness, I recognized the power of that tiny prayer that I didn’t even know was a prayer. I knew my cry to Mary for help had been heard.
Ever since that day, my devotion to the Blessed Mother has grown and expanded, as has her help for me. But I will always recall that she didn’t wait until I had my spiritual house in order. She didn’t even wait until I was in a state of grace. She just helped because I asked. She was an Olive Tree in the fields for me, one I will continue to seek shelter beneath until the day I see her and her Son face to face in heaven.
Spend a Little Time with Mary
Whether it be through a decade of the rosary, the recitation of another Marian prayer, or by simply gazing at a representation of the Blessed Mother, spend a little time today with your Momma who loves you. She awaits your company, just as Our Lord does in the Blessed Sacrament. Drawing closer to Mary will automatically draw you closer to Jesus. There is no fragmentation in devotion to Mary.
May is the perfect time to kick-start your relationship with the Blessed Mother in a simple way that works for your spirituality. A mother loves her children in all their variety and doesn’t ask you to be a cookie-cutter image of anyone else. Do you like to sing? Sing one of the many Marian hymns to Mary each day. Do you love to cook? Ask the Blessed Mother into your kitchen to help you make something for your family or for someone who could use a little Marian love in their life. Do you journal? Pour your heart out to Mary with all sincerity and trust in her maternal care for you and your intentions.
The point is to be yourself with your Momma. She already knows and loves you as you are. If there are areas in your life that need reform, she will help you. You don’t have to wait to deepen your relationship until those needed reforms have been done by your own grit and determination. Come home to your Momma and let her help you. She is longing to do it.
Blessed Mother, thank you. Your gentle and caring ways make you as easy to approach as an olive tree in the middle of a field. The fragrance of your holiness draws us in. You are a home to us on this pilgrim way. Help us to know that you love us and will help us regardless of where we are on our spiritual journey. Help us to learn to trust you and to allow ourselves to be formed by you so that we may become who God created us to be, just as you did during your lifetime. May we grow in love of Our Lord by growing in love of you every day, in the special month of May and always.
Image from Wikimedia Commons
