May 5, 2024, 12:00 PM

May is traditionally dedicated to honoring and seeking the intercession of Mary as the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. As Pope Francis wrote in Gaudete et Exsultate, “She is that woman who rejoiced in the presence of God, who treasured everything in her heart, and who let herself be pierced by the sword. Mary is the saint among the saints, blessed above all others. She teaches us the way of holiness and she walks ever at our side. She does not let us remain fallen and at times she takes us into her arms without judging us.” As the Mother of God, Mary is exalted, yet still one of us. Mary’s greatness comes from the fact she wants to magnify God, not herself. She is the handmaid of the Lord. Mary, more than anyone, can lead us to Jesus and teach us to know and love Him. She embraces God's will and freely chooses to cooperate with God's grace, thus she has a crucial role in God's plan of salvation. The Church has often turned to the Blessed Virgin in order to come closer to Christ. The Church honors her as the Mother of God, looks to her as a model of perfect discipleship, and asks for her prayers to God on our behalf. Mary in no way replaces Christ. Rather, her role is to bring us to Christ, as we hear in Mary's admonition at the wedding feast of Cana, "Do whatever He tells you" (Jn 2:5). We should listen to Jesus and His Mother. Now you know!