May is the Month of Mary:  How to Honor Her at Home

May is a month set aside by the Church to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. For centuries, Catholics have marked this time with special devotions, prayers, and the beautiful tradition of the May Crowning, where Mary is crowned with flowers as a sign of love, reverence, and trust.

Pope Paul VI once wrote:

“For this is the month during which Christians, in their churches and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration; and it is the month in which a greater abundance of God’s merciful gifts comes down to us from our Mother’s throne.”
— Mense Maio, 1965

In this spirit, we invite you to make May a month for Mary in your home. Whether you live in an apartment, a farmhouse, or somewhere in between, here’s a practical way to enter into this devotion as a family:

WEEK 2: Plant Something in Her Honor

• If you have outdoor space, start a “Mary Garden.” Some traditional flowers for Mary include roses, lilies, lavender, and marigolds.
• If you don’t have a garden, plant something in a pot on the porch or windowsill.
• Let the planting be part of your prayer: “Mary, help us grow in faith, hope, and love.”

You might even place a small sign or stone that simply says “Ave Maria.”

WEEK 3: Reflect on Mary’s Life

• Read one of the Gospel passages that show Mary’s role in salvation history:
  • Luke 1:26–38 (The Annunciation)
  • Luke 1:39–56 (The Visitation and the Magnificat)
  • John 2:1–11 (The Wedding at Cana)
• After reading, ask simple questions:
  “What did Mary do?”
  “What does this tell us about her trust in God?”
  “How can we say yes to God like she did?”

This is a great week to teach kids about the Rosary or learn a new Marian prayer as a family.

WEEK 4: Celebrate Her Feasts and Share Her Joy

• May 13 is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, and May 31 is the Feast of the Visitation.
• Choose one of these days to do something special:
  • Attend daily Mass
  • Pray the full Rosary together
  • Share a small family treat (cupcakes, cookies, or fruit)
  • Write a prayer or letter to Mary asking for her intercession

As the month ends, thank her for walking with your family and helping you grow closer to Jesus.

You Don’t Have to Do Everything—Just Do Something

This May, invite Mary into your family’s everyday life. Even a small act—a prayer, a flower, a candle—is a way of saying:
"You are welcome here, Mother."

Let her lead you to her Son.

Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, pray for us.