Devotions, May 3-9
It is May: let us entrust ourselves to Mary with confidence! We have just entered the month of May, and Pope Francis, who on May 1 began the “marathon” of prayer he himself proposed for this month, is still fresh in our eyes and hearts: “At the beginning of the month dedicated to Our Lady, we join in prayer with all the shrines throughout the world, with the faithful and with all people of good will, to place all humanity, sorely tested by this period of pandemic, in the hands of Our Holy Mother. Every day of this month of May,” said the Pontiff, “we will entrust to you, Mother of Mercy, the many people who have been touched by the virus and continue to suffer its consequences. From our deceased brothers and sisters to the families living with grief and uncertainty about tomorrow. From the sick to the doctors, scientists, and nurses working on the front lines of this battle. From volunteers to all the professionals who have provided their precious service for the benefit of others. From people in mourning and pain to those who, with a simple smile and a kind word, have brought comfort to those in need. From those, especially women, who have suffered violence within their homes because of the forced lockdown, to those who long to resume the rhythms of daily life with enthusiasm.”
You may also be interested in: May: the month of Mary and the Rosary
Let us join in this initiative too and, if we cannot take part in the Rosary recited every day at 6:00 p.m. from a Marian shrine, let us commit to doing so during the day at the time that suits us best!
But now let us delve into the details of this week, which offers us several “appointments” with the Virgin Mary!
TUESDAY, MAY 4
Start of the novena to Our Lady of Fatima
On 13 May, the apparitions of Fatima are commemorated, and starting on 4 May we are invited to pray the novena. As is well known, Our Lady appeared at Fatima to three shepherd children: Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco, six times, from 13 May to 13 October 1917. She entrusted them with important messages for the Church and humanity, calling them to conversion, prayer, and penance. In one of the apparitions, she said to the three shepherd children: «I am the Lady of the Rosary; I want a chapel built here in my honor; let them continue to pray the Rosary every day».
Let us make her invitation our own, and during this novena let us entrust ourselves to her with confidence!
To learn more:
• Prayers to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
• Pray, pray, pray
SATURDAY, 8 MAY
Blessed Virgin Mary of Pompeii
Our Lady of the Rosary has a very ancient devotion, originating with the Dominicans (12th century), who were its foremost promoters. Praying the Rosary became widespread because of the ease with which it could be prayed; it was the “gospel of the poor,” who, for the most part illiterate, could thus pray and meditate on the Christian mysteries without having to read. Over the centuries, Our Lady of the Rosary was depicted in a wide range of artistic representations; the best known is the one in which the crown is given to Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Dominic, kneeling on either side of the throne. One of these paintings gave rise to the entirely Marian devotion of Pompeii; it was Blessed Bartolo Longo (1841-1926) who, in addition to restoring the painting, wrote the Supplication to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, which is recited solemnly and with the great participation of the faithful on 8 May and the first Sunday of October.
To learn more:
• Blessed Bartolo Longo
Let us live this week and the entire month of May by taking part in the “marathon” of prayer, desired by Pope Francis, to implore an end to the pandemic.
Let us entrust ourselves to Mary’s intercession: «Mother of Help, welcome us under your mantle and protect us, sustain us in the hour of trial, and kindle in our hearts the light of hope for the future» (Pope Francis, 1 May 2021).
I’ll be waiting for you in the comments on the post!
Have a good week and a good journey!
