The Month of Mary...

"Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing;

You reign now in splendor with Jesus our King.

Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria.

Ave, Ave, Maria!"

I can't hardly attend a noon Mass without wanting to burst out with this song at the recessional...: ) Fr. Harris ended every daily noon mass with this song. God rest his soul, he made it known how important our Blessed Mother was to him and his vocation, and made sure that we made her a part of our own, as well...

I love all the traditional Marian practices that so many parishes tend to push aside. Fortunately, at our parish they do still do the traditional "May crowning", where the new first communion students come back the following week and process in, all carrying flowers , with a special crown of flowers to place on the statue of Mary. It amazes me still how other Christian faiths want to discount Mary as so "non-important", when she was the actual vessel that brought Jesus to us! I guess I, as a mother, just turn to her in so many instances as the perfect example of wife, mother and follower of Jesus. Her role was by no means an easy one to bear. From the moment she learned that she would bear the Christ Child, still not living with her spouse, to the agonizing walk to Golgotha, watching her Son bear the sins of many, knowing that this was what it was all for. Trusting in God's plan, no matter the cost.... She is the ultimate example and the ultimate guide to bring us ever closer to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We could all have something to gain by taking time this month to get to know our Blessed Mother better. Pull out those rosary beads and spend some time contemplating the relationship of Jesus and His/our Mother... As any good mother, she won't steer you wrong...