Why We Turn to Mary in May—and Every Month After

It’s hard to believe how quickly May seems to slip by. And yet, I would be remiss to let this beautiful month continue without pausing to honor the woman who stands at the heart of it: Mary, our Blessed Mother.

May has long been dedicated to Mary in the life of the Church. It’s a time when altars are adorned with flowers, rosaries are prayed with renewed devotion, and Marian hymns echo in our churches and hearts. This special month gives us a moment to draw closer to the one who said yes to God so completely that she became the mother of our Savior. And in saying yes to God, she became a mother to us all.

A Mother's Heart

Mary’s motherhood is unlike any other in history. She carried the Son of God in her womb, nurtured Him, taught Him, and stood by Him from His first breath to His last on the cross. But her role didn’t end when Jesus ascended into Heaven. In fact, it expanded. At the foot of the cross, Jesus gave Mary to us when He said to the beloved disciple, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:27). In that moment, we were entrusted to her maternal care — not just as individuals, but as a whole Church.

As someone who entered the Catholic Church through RCIA ten years ago, I didn’t always have a strong devotion to Mary. But over time, and especially through praying the Rosary, I began to understand the deep peace that comes from letting Mary walk with me. Like any good mother, she meets us where we are, gently pointing the way to her Son with love, compassion, and patience.

Our Faithful Intercessor

It’s a beautiful truth of our faith that we never have to walk alone. Mary, in her closeness to Jesus, listens to our prayers and brings them to Him with the tenderness only a mother can offer. She is our intercessor — not because Jesus needs convincing, but because He desires that we approach Him as part of a family. Just as the wedding guests in Cana went to Mary when the wine ran out, we, too, can go to her when we are empty, afraid, or uncertain.

And Mary always responds with the same words she offered at Cana: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). Her role is never to draw attention to herself but to lead us, again and again, to Jesus. She knows our hearts, knows our needs, and brings them faithfully to her Son, who listens to His mother with perfect love.

A Steady Guide for the Journey

In a world that can feel noisy, confusing, and overwhelming, Mary is a steady guide. Her life was not free from suffering or fear — quite the opposite. She lived through uncertainty, exile, sorrow, and silence. But through it all, she trusted. She pondered things in her heart. She followed the path of obedience, even when it led her to Calvary.

Mary shows us how to be disciples. She teaches us how to trust when we don’t understand, how to hope when we feel discouraged, and how to love when it’s hard. When we’re faced with decisions, grief, joy, or fear, we can look to Mary as our example and ask for her guidance. She has walked the road of faith before us, and she continues to walk it beside us now.

A Call to Devotion

This month — and really every month — we’re invited to draw closer to Mary. Maybe that means setting up a small Marian altar in your home, praying the Rosary more regularly, or simply talking to her in your heart when you’re having a hard day. Maybe it means singing one of her hymns in your car or reading Scripture passages about her life and pondering them the way she did.

One of the beautiful realities of Marian devotion is that it doesn’t distract from Jesus — it brings us closer to Him. Mary never keeps the spotlight. She simply invites us to look with love at her Son.

A Final Thought

As May continues, let’s not miss the chance to spend time with our heavenly Mother. Let’s turn to her with the same trust that a child has in their mom, knowing that she sees us, hears us, and holds us in her heart. She is our mother, our intercessor, and our guide — and she is always leading us home.

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.