Hello friends

What a lovely time of year. It makes sense that our beautiful Mother would be celebrated during this fair season.

Some of you may relate, but I’ve had a somewhat complicated relationship with Mother Mary over the years.

When I started to take my faith more seriously in college, I remember distinctly having the realization that she was the perfect woman.

As much as I wanted to love and admire Mary, I felt like I just couldn’t relate to her. And if I’m being honest, I felt a little resentful that we were supposed to look up to her…I mean, hello, she has no sin.

Over the years I came to realize that Mary is actually our biggest advocate. She truly is our Mother. And as our Mother she loves us, cherishes us, wants what is best for us, and wants so much to help us. I realized that all my imperfections, all my challenges, fears, disappointments…she could help me with. I just needed to ask.

And the answered prayers that have come of a result of her intercession are astounding. For example, while I was discerning marriage with my husband I prayed the 54-day Novena.

I told her in prayer: “If you want me to marry this man, I need you to make it SUPER clear.” As I continued to persevere in prayer I started to feel more and more peace about our relationship.

And on the 54th day, he proposed.

Prayer doesn’t always ‘work’ like this. But there have been so many instances where our Lady just took my breath away with her attentiveness and generosity. She hears us.

Now, one of my favorite prayers is:

Mary,
Please give me your generosity, your joy, your laughter, your patience, your obedience, your humility, your loveliness, your selfless love for others. Please make me more like you, and more the woman God wants me to be. Please lend me your heart, and keep me in yours.

I pray that almost every day.

So May is a great month. There is so much to celebrate in our Lady and in other saints, too. I will be sending out all the possible ways of celebrating Mary in the home with decor, gardening ideas, and recipes, in literature with books and poetry, in media like music and podcasts, in your wardrobe, and of course, in prayer.

Be on the lookout for those, and please let me know: what are your favorite ways to celebrate Mary this month?!

Cheers,

MKH