Christians around the world dedicate the month of May to Mary, the mother of Jesus. But why do we honour Mary in this way? There is the accusation made by some people that Catholics worship Mary. Nothing could be further from the truth. We honour Mary by dedicating a month to her in thankfulness for her ready and willing acceptance of her vocation to become the Mother of Jesus. Mary was always there, in the background, to help and serve Our Lord in any way she could and took her place at the foot of the cross, watching her Son suffer and die. As the hymn says:- Shall we not love thee, Mother dear, Whom Jesus loved so well.
During the crucifixion Jesus gave Mary to us all when he gave her to St. John to care for after His death. Mary is now our Mother and as such we honour her, and we love her, trying to emulate her example of perfect humility and ready, willing obedience. But we don’t worship Mary - we worship God and give our allegiance to Him, and like Mary, do all we can to serve him.
During Eastertide, insead of the Angelus we sing the Regina Coeli:-
Joy to thee, O Queen of Heaven. Alleluia!
He whom Thou wast meet to bear. Alleluia!
As He promised hath arisen. Alleluia!
Pour for us to God thy prayer. Alleluia!
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord is risen indeed, alleluia.
Let us pray,
O God, who through the resurrection of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ didst vouchsafe to give joy to the world: grant, we beseech thee, that through His Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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