Statue of the image of Our Lady of Fatima, mother of God in the Catholic religion, Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, Virgin Mary
By Robyn Bruggeman
May arrives like a grace-filled moment in the liturgical year, when the Church turns her attention to our Blessed Mother, while still celebrating the radiant joy of Easter. Several great solemnities unfold during these weeks that help us continue living in the light of the Resurrection.
May: Dedicated to Our Lady
Throughout the centuries, the Church has lovingly dedicated the entire month of May to the Blessed Virgin Mary—the mother who always leads us closer to her Son. Isn’t it fun that we celebrate Mother’s Day in May, the same month we honor our Blessed Mother?
This dedication beautifully unfolds during the Easter season. While we, as a Church, celebrate the glory of the Resurrection, we also remember the woman who said “yes” to God so that salvation could enter the world.
In the domestic church, May becomes a special opportunity to draw close to Our Lady and invite her maternal presence more deeply into our homes. She always leads us straight to her Son. Here are a few simple ways families can honor Mary throughout May:
Create a Marian space. Place a statue or image of Mary in your home with fresh flowers.
Have a May crowning. Let children place a crown on Mary’s statue and pray together.
Pray the Rosary. Even one decade prayed together helps build a rhythm of Marian devotion.
Plant a Mary garden. Flowers have long been associated with Mary—roses, lilies and marigolds (“Mary’s gold”).
Invite Mary into daily life. Ask her intercession for your family, your children and your home.
“Mary, our Mother, watch over our home and lead us always closer to Jesus.”
Celebrating the feast days throughout May
May 1 – St. Joseph the Worker
What we celebrate
This feast honors the dignity of human work and places all workers under the protection of St. Joseph. This feast is distinct from the March 19 celebration of St. Joseph, which honors him as the spouse of Mary and guardian of the Holy Family. The May 1 feast highlights St. Joseph specifically as a laborer and reminds us that ordinary work can be sanctified and offered to God.
Through St. Joseph’s example, we see that work is not merely a task to complete but a participation in God’s work in the world.
How to live it LITurgically
Bless the tools of your daily work: kitchen utensils, work equipment, computers, tractors or farm tools.
Offer your daily labor for a specific intention.
Talk with children about how our daily tasks can become prayer when done with love.
Treat yourself to a cup of Joe in honor of St. Joseph.
Sloppy Joe’s (BBQ’s) for supper.
May 13 – Our Lady of Fatima
What we celebrate
On May 13, 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal: St. Jacinta Marto, St. Francisco Marto and Sister Lucia dos Santos. Mary’s message to the world was both simple and urgent: pray the Rosary and turn away from sin. At Fatima, Mary called the world to prayer, penance and reparation. In the domestic church, we can respond to her invitation by praying the Rosary together, offering up small sacrifices throughout the day, and teaching our children (and us) to offer their prayers and struggles for the love of Jesus and the conversion of souls.
How to live it LITurgically
Pray a Rosary together as a family, or begin with one decade if the whole Rosary feels like too much.
Create a small Marian space in your home with flowers (roses) and/or a candle. (Bring in an Our Lady of Fatima picture or statue.)
Look into doing a Marian consecration.
Watch the “Fatima” movie and eat sun-inspired foods. (Sunchips would be easy!) Visit LivingLIT.org for an easy sun-inspired supper idea.
May 17 – Ascension Sunday
What we celebrate
Forty days after Easter, Jesus ascends into heaven in the presence of his disciples. The Ascension does not mark Jesus’ leaving us, but rather his enthronement in glory. Our humanity is now seated with him in heaven. Forty days after Easter is Ascension Thursday, but we usually celebrate it on the following Sunday, the seventh Sunday after Easter. This feast reminds us that the Resurrection opens the way to eternal life, and that our true home is with God.
How to live it LITurgically
Read Scripture together as a family. You can find the Ascension in Acts 1:6-11 and Luke 24:50-53.
Think and talk about heaven as our ultimate home and about helping each other get there.
Enjoy a “cloud” themed dessert, such as angel food cake or whipped cream treats.
This is a great day to fly a kite and do some cloud watching.
May 24 – Pentecost
What we celebrate
Pentecost marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the birth of the Church. Filled with the Spirit, the Apostles went forth boldly to proclaim the Gospel to the world. Today is the 50th day of Easter, the culmination of the Eastertide. The same Holy Spirit given at Pentecost continues to guide and strengthen the Church today.
How to live it LITurgically
Wear red to Mass to symbolize the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Talk and pray about the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Pray “Come, Holy Spirit” together as a family.
Celebrate the birthday of the Church with a festive meal and cake. Tie in red foods. Make flames out of red fruit roll-ups. Enjoy Dove chocolates. Decorate with red streamers. Check out “Celebrating Pentecost” on Living LIT.org.
May 31 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
What we celebrate
Trinity Sunday celebrates the central mystery of the Christian faith: one God in three Persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. While the Trinity is a mystery beyond full human understanding, it reveals the very heart of God as a communion of love.
How to live it LITurgically
Pray the Glory Be slowly and intentionally as a family.
Teach children the Sign of the Cross and its meaning.
Make it a habit of blessing yourself and children with holy water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit when you rise and when you go to bed.
Share a three-layer dessert to symbolize the unity of the Trinity. (Or pick up neapolitan ice cream.)
For more Marian inspiration, ideas for starting a Mary garden and simple ways to live the liturgical year at home, visit LivingLIT.org and listen to the Living LIT podcast.
