The month of May is universally recognised in the Catholic Church as the "month of Mary". It is a time dedicated to the Virgin, spanning centuries, cultures and spiritualities. During these thirty-one spring days, filial love for the Mother of God is expressed through processions, prayers, vigils, songs and, of course, liturgical feasts. May thus becomes a veritable inner pilgrimage, a journey of faith, gentleness and hope alongside the Virgin Mary.
But beyond popular devotion, this month is also marked in the liturgical calendar by several important Marian feasts. These celebrations allow the faithful to deepen their bond with Mary through the great events of her life, her role in salvation history and her maternal mission for the Church and the world.
Spiritual fruitfulness linked to spring
The tradition of dedicating the month of May to Mary developed from the 18th century onwards, but it has its roots in a much older sensibility. May is the month of nature's renewal, of flowers blooming, days lengthening and the world regaining its light. Mary, often compared to a flower - "Mystic Rose", "Immaculate Lily", "Blossoming Virgin" - embodies this spiritual fecundity.
In the liturgy, this symbolism is extended: Mary is the new Eve, the Mother of the Living, the one through whom Life entered the world. To honour Mary in May is to recognise in her the beauty of creation restored, the purity of the human heart fully open to God.
The great Marian feasts in May
1. Our Lady of Fatima - 13 May
The feast of Our Lady of Fatima is celebrated every year on 13 May, in memory of the apparition of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta, in the small Portuguese town of Fatima in 1917.
During these apparitions, Mary calls for prayer, conversion, fasting and peace. She especially asks for the daily recitation of the rosary for peace in the world and an end to wars. Her message, still relevant today, is an urgent call to return to God with trust.
This feast occupies a central place in the Marian month, and many parishes organise special Masses, rosaries, vigils or torchlight processions on this occasion.
2. Mary, Mother of the Church - Pentecost Monday
Since 2018, the Monday following Pentecost has been dedicated to Mary, Mother of the Church. Instituted by Pope Francis, this feast highlights the role of the Virgin within the mystery of the Church. She is the mother of Christ, but also the mother of all believers united to her Son.
She was present in the Upper Room, praying with the apostles as they awaited the Holy Spirit. She is thus the perfect model of the Christian life and the support of the believing community. This feast, celebrated in the fervour of Pentecost, reminds us that Mary continues to pray for us, to intercede and to accompany us on the journey of faith.
3. The Visitation - 31 May
The month of May ends with the feast of the Visitation, on 31 May. This event, recounted in the Gospel according to Saint Luke, tells of the meeting between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth. Mary, pregnant with Christ, goes to visit Elizabeth, herself pregnant with John the Baptist.
It is a moment of joy, spiritual exultation and mutual recognition. The Magnificat, sung by Mary during this encounter, becomes a universal hymn of praise and humility. This feast highlights Mary's active charity, her joy in believing and her profound humility. It closes the Marian month in light and gratitude.
Local and popular Marian feasts
In addition to the official liturgical feasts, many regions of the world celebrate local feasts dedicated to Mary in May: Our Lady of Grace, Our Lady of the Road, Our Lady of Harvest, or patronal feasts specific to certain communities.
These popular expressions, often linked to pilgrimages, show that Marian devotion is alive and well, rooted in the culture of peoples and adapted to their spiritual needs. Through these feasts, believers express their trust in the Virgin, their gratitude for her protection, and their desire to walk with her.
The month of May: a call to holiness with Mary
The Marian feasts that punctuate the month of May are not mere commemorations. They are invitations to enter more deeply into a living relationship with Mary. Each one offers a different facet of her mission: messenger of peace at Fatima, support of the Church at Pentecost, joyful servant at the Visitation.
By celebrating them, the faithful discover a simple and profound spirituality: that of a mother who takes us by the hand, who teaches us to say "yes" to God, to praise Him in all circumstances, to serve with love and humility.
Conclusion: a month to let ourselves be loved
Through its feasts, prayers, songs and gestures, the month of May becomes a month of love. It's not just about talking about Mary, but about living with her, inviting her into our homes, our hearts, our struggles and our hopes. Each Marian feast in May reminds us that Mary never ceases to accompany us, to pray for us, to lead us to Jesus.
By celebrating Mary, we learn to love like her, to believe like her, to hope like her. And that's the whole point of the month of May: a blossoming path to Heaven, led by the sweetest of mothers.
