Hello May | A Month for Mary and for You
- Katie Donahue
- May 1
- 3 min read
Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much.
You can never love her more than Jesus did.
~St. Maximilian Kolbe
Hello friends,
We’ve arrived at the month of May, the month of our Blessed Mother. There is something about this time of year: the air is softening, trees are blossoming, and the earth feels alive again. It’s a season of beauty and hope, a fitting backdrop for drawing near to Mary.
May is a reminder that motherhood, both spiritual and physical, is tender, strong, and rooted in self-giving love. Whether you are in a season of receiving motherly care, offering it, or seeking to understand it more deeply, this is a beautiful time to slow down as best you can, and let Mary guide you.
She is not just a faraway figure in stained glass. Mary is our mother, present and attentive. Her fiat, her yes, continues to echo through history, calling us to say yes to God in the simple, often hidden places of our daily life.
So this May, consider making space for her in your daily rhythm:
Begin the day with a Hail Mary or the Angelus at noon
Pick a Marian title that speaks to your heart ~ Our Lady of Sorrows, Undoer of Knots, Star of the Sea ~ and learn more about it
Place a flower near an image or statue of Mary in your home
Or simply whisper in your heart, “Mary, be a mother to me today.”
We are also in this beautiful stretch of Eastertide, and what better companion to have than the one who rejoiced first at the Resurrection? She is our model of interior personal integration, of living in communion with God, within ourselves, and for others.
A simple practice to try this week:
Marian Minute: Each day, pause for one minute and imagine placing your heart's intentions in Mary’s hands. Ask her to intercede for your deepest need today.
Continue praying for our next pope by joining a novena. I really appreciated this update from Cardinal Raymond Burke, stating that the Conclave will officially begin May 7th.
Click to open a printable prayer card of the above novena prayer:
Spring Lemon-Herb Quinoa Salad
This salad is light, energizing, and reflects the freshness of May - great for both body and soul! Feel free to add any of your favorite salad ingredients as this recipe is highly adaptable.
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups water or broth of your choice
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: grilled chicken or chickpeas for added protein, crumbled feta cheese
Optional veggies of your choice (I like fresh chopped spinach and red bell peppers)
Instructions:
In a medium saucepan, bring quinoa and water (or broth) to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Let cool.
In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and mint.
In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, zest, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Top with chicken, chickpeas, feta or all of it if desired.
Chill or serve at room temperature. Perfect for lunch, side dish, or picnic.
I am grateful to be on this journey with you. Let’s walk through May together, with Mary at our side.
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