Many Christians, even Catholics, think that devotion to
the Blessed Virgin Mary is a late, perhaps medieval development. But from the
earliest days of the Church, Christians have revered Mary and sought her
intercession.
Traditionally, the Catholic Church devotes each month of
the year to a particular devotion. In May, it is the Blessed Virgin Mary. This
devotion arose among Jesuits in Rome in the late 18th century and quickly
spread throughout the Western Church. By the time of Pope Pius IX's declaration
of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854, it had
become universal. Crowning Our Lady’s statue and other special May events in
honor of Mary, such as public recitation of the rosary, became common from this
time.
We are encouraged to incorporate some prayers to the
Blessed Virgin into our daily prayers during this month.
Prayer of Saint Augustine to the
Blessed Virgin
Blessed Virgin Mary,
who can worthily repay you with praise
and thanks for having rescued a fallen world
by your generous consent!
Receive our gratitude,
and by your prayers obtain the pardon of our sins.
Take our prayers into the sanctuary of heaven
and enable them to make our peace with God.
Holy Mary, help the miserable,
strengthen the discouraged,
comfort the sorrowful,
pray for your people,
plead for the clergy,
intercede for all women consecrated to God.
May all who venerate you
feel now your help and protection.
Be ready to help us when we pray,
and bring back to us the answers to our prayers.
Make it your continual concern
to pray for the people of God,
for you were blessed by God
and were made worthy to bear the Redeemer of the world,
who lives and reigns forever.
Amen.
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