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May, 2008 - Overview for the Month
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The month of May is dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary. May 1 through May 11 fall within the liturgical season of Easter, which is represented by the liturgical color white — the color of light, a symbol of joy, purity and innocence (absolute or restored). The last three weeks of the month (beginning the Monday after Pentecost) are in Ordinary Time which is represented by the liturgical color green. This symbol of hope is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection.
General: That Christians may use literature, art and the media to greater advantage to favour a culture which defends and promotes the values of the human person.
Missionary: That just as she accompanied the Apostles in the early stages of the Church, may the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelization and Queen of Apostles, continue to guide missionaries throughout the world with maternal affection.
The feasts on the General Roman Calendar celebrated
during the month of May are:
The Gospel readings for all the Sundays in May are taken from St. John and are from Year A, Cycle 2.
The saints that we will focus on this month — those who have already shared in the rewards of the Resurrection — are St. Joseph the Worker (May 1), St. Athanasius (May 2), Sts. Philip and James (May 3), Our Lady of Fatima (May 13), St. Matthias (May 14), St. Isidore the Farmer (May 15), St. Bernadine of Siena (May 20), St. Christopher Magallanes (May 21), St. Rita of Cascia (May 22), St. Philip Neri (May 26) and St. Augustine of Canterbury (May 27). The feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (May 30) and the Visitation (May 31) also fall in this month. The Solemnity of the Ascension (May 1) is celebrated on May 4 (Sunday) in most dioceses in the United States.
Pentecost, the birth of the Church, is also among the celebrations of May. Though sprung from the side of Christ on the Cross, the Church marks as her birthday the descent of the Holy Spirit on Mary and the Apostles. At the 'birth' of the world, the Holy Spirit — the Breath of God — was the "mighty wind [that] swept over the waters" (Gen 1:2); at the birth of the Church He is present again "like the rush of a mighty wind" to recreate the world in the image of Christ through His Church (Acts 2:2). We, the members of Christ’s Mystical Body, are the present-day disciples sent by the Holy Spirit to bring Christ to the world. May we go forth as did Mary, who set out in haste to assist St. Elizabeth (Feast of the Visitation, May 31). Come upon us, O Holy Spirit, so that, with Mary, we may proclaim the greatness of the Lord who has done great things for us — for his mercy endures forever!  "In
the hierarchy of holiness it is precisely the 'woman', Mary
of Nazareth, who is the 'figure' of the Church. She 'precedes'
everyone on the path to holiness; in her person 'the Church
has already reached that perfection whereby she exists without
spot or wrinkle'". — JOHN PAUL II Mulieris Dignitatem,
1988 |
 Who is
she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright
as the sun?
Highlights
May 1
Ascension  The
whole universe is invited to acclaim the glories of the Ascending
Christ. He is surrounded with the just of Limbo, with the souls
who had finished their purgatorial expiation and probably with the
saints who came out of their tombs on Easter Sunday: "Ascending
on high He has led captivity captive". To celebrate Pentecost try this delicious moist
cake, inexpensive and easy to make. It is served with a strawberry
frosting.
Construct this Pentecost wheel to remind children
of the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. After constructing
the wheel, begin using it seven days before Pentecost, discussing
a gift of the Holy Spirit each night.
Symbols
It was to St. Philip that Christ addressed
his remark concerning the feeding of the multitude. The roundels
represent two loaves of bread.
This symbol refers to the tradition that St.
James was cast down from a pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem,
stoned and sawn asunder by the Jews.
Chosen, by lot, to replace Judas Iscariot,
St. Matthias served as a missionary in Judaea, where he is said
to have been stoned and beheaded. A battle axe with silver head
and tawny handle, white open book with inscription "super
Mathiam".
The fleur-de-lys is a symbol for
the Blessed Virgin Mary and is derived from the Madonna's lily.
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As
Spring blossoms forth and we are surrounded by new life, we spend
this month full of the joy of our Easter celebration and in anticipation
of the coming of the Holy Spirit, our Consoler and Advocate.
The
world is resplendent with Spring's increased light and new growth.
It is Mary’s month in the Easter season and all of nature
rejoices with the Queen of heaven at the Resurrection of the Son
she was worthy to bear. During the remainder of Easter time, let
us endeavor through the prayers of the Holy Liturgy and the Holy
Rosary to deepen our gratitude for the mystery of our Baptismal
rebirth in Christ.
