May is for Mary and Prayers for Mothers!

Thanks to all the families for participating in the youth mass and May Crowning! The month of May is dedicated to Mary, the Blessed Virgin Mother of Jesus. We dedicate the whole month because Our Lady deserves more than just a day, but rather a period of days, 30 to be exact, otherwise known as a Tricesium. The month of May is significant because we all generally hope and feel that winter has finally past and the real signs of spring emerge in blooming flowers, budding trees and bright “ Spring Green” colors the grass and forests. It is a most beautiful time of year, one that is symbolic of new life. Mary represents all those great things!

We begin this dedicated month with May crowning, usually a crown of flowers but can also be a precious metal and gem crown as seen in royalty. As we celebrate May Crowning in our worship sites, you are encouraged to crown the Virgin Mary statue or images in your homes and gardens. Recitation of the Rosary, a daily Hail Mary altogether, or exploration of the many titles for The Blessed Mother are ideas to honor Her this month. Studying the images of : The Mystic Rose, Stella Maris, Vessel of Honor, or Our Lady of Fatima, would be a great exercise that incorporates a little research as well. Whatever you choose to do this month, take this opportunity to bring Mary closer to the hearts of your children. Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, pray for us!

Prayers for Motherhood and Mother's Day

From Jesuitresource.org

A Prayer in Gratitude for Our Mothers

Good and Gentle God, we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women of theory who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life. You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings. Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return, not perfectly, but humanly. Give them the faithful support of husband, family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children. Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most.

- Author Unknown

Mother's Everywhere

May the blessing of the Divine Be an especially bright benediction Upon mothers everywhere On your blessed day - On Mother's Day! - Author Unknown

An Irish blessing

There is but one and only one, Whose love will fail you never. One who lives from sun to sun, With constant fond endeavor.

There is but one and only one On earth there is no other. In heaven a noble work was done When God gave us a Mother.

- Author Unknown

A Mother's Love

There are times when only a mother's love Can understand our tears, Can soothe our disappoints And calm all of our fears. There are times when only a mother's love Can share the joy we feel When something we've dreamed about Quite suddenly is real. There are times when only a mother's faith Can help us on life's way And inspire in us the confidence We need from day to day. For a mother's heart and a mother's faith And a mother's steadfast love Were fashioned by the angels And sent from God above. - Author Unknown

A Mother's Day Prayer

I said a Mother's Day prayer for you to thank the Lord above for blessing me with a lifetime of your tenderhearted love. I thanked God for the caring you've shown me through the years, for the closeness we've enjoyed in time of laughter and of tears.

And so, I thank you from the heart for all you've done for me and I bless the Lord for giving me the best mother there could be!

- Author Unknown

To the Moms Who Are

To the Moms who are struggling, to those filled with incandescent joy. To the Moms who are remembering children who have died, and pregnancies that miscarried. To the Moms who decided other parents were the best choice for their babies.

To the Moms who adopted those kids and loved them fierce. To those experiencing frustration or desperation in infertility. To those who knew they never wanted kids, and the ways they have contributed to our shared world. To those who mothered colleagues, mentees, neighborhood kids, and anyone who needed it. To those remembering Moms no longer with us. To those moving forward from Moms who did not show love, or hurt those they should have cared for. Today is a day to honor the unyielding love and care for others we call 'Motherhood,' wherever we have found it and in whatever ways we have found to cultivate it within ourselves.

- Hannah Kardon, Pastor at Elston Avenue United Methodist Church

https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/mothers-day-prayers