How to grow closer to Mary in the month of May: books suggestions, prayers, and practices
- Anna Kreslins
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
When we talk about "living liturgically", what do we mean?
Does it mean just wearing liturgical colors, baking recipes that fit the feast day, or reposting a trending influencer's post about the given Saint or theme? It must go deeper, be more real, actually touch the heart. I am all about liturgically living through clothing, recipes, music, parties, and posts, but I also know that if whatever it is I am celebrating doesn't get to my heart and actually affect the way I live, then the externals were for nought.
As we enter into this beautiful month of May, the month of Mary, let's talk about some practical ways we can let this theme and person actually touch our hearts and not just our closets and ovens.
As a starting point, let us recall that Our Lady, Mary of Nazareth, is a living person. Assumed body and soul into heaven, she is more alive in Christ than you and I. Even more, she knows us, loves us, intercedes for us, and she wants us to know her. She wants to lead us closer to her Son, Jesus. Let us draw near to this Woman, this Mother that God not only created and chose for Himself but gave to us, and let her touch and teach our hearts.
When I was a cloistered nun, it was part of our rule of life to read one of our spiritual books for at least 15 minutes every single day. Many of the Saints would say that if you want to advance in the spiritual life, it is imperative that you read spiritual books and nourish your mind and heart. One way I strongly encourage you to draw nearer to Mary is to read about her. If you don't know where to start, here are five Marian books that have many, many testimonies singing their praise:
Then, of course, there is prayer.
One of the simplest and best ways to draw nearer to and to better understand Mary is to pray the Rosary each day. Each one of us does have 15 minutes to spare in our day, and the fruits of praying a daily rosary cannot be measured. Pray it slowly, ask Mary to draw you into each mystery and to teach you about her Son. It will change your heart, your mind, your days. It is one of the greatest prayers we have, and it is extremely efficacious in better knowing and loving Our Lady.
There is one more prayer I want to offer you. It is called the Angelus.
The Angelus is one of the oldest prayers in our Church and it is still prayed all around the world, every day, three times a day by Religious and lay faithful. The prayer is prayed at 6am, 12pm, and 6pm and takes less than 5 minutes. It has been called an "exorcism of the air" and is known for its effect in the realm of spiritual warfare. The prayer is as follows:
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace,The Lord is with Thee; Blessed art thou among women,And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God,Pray for us sinners,Now and at the hour of our death. Amen
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary. . .
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary. . .
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
When we want to get to know someone better, we invite them into our lives, we spend time with them, we listen to their own stories and heart. If we want to know and love Mary better, we must invite her into our lives, spend time with her, and listen to the stories she has to tell and the Heart behind them.
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