Mary is the Mother of Jesus

Mary is our Mother because she loves us and loves God.

We can always ask Mary to help us.

Resources for the Month of Mary – Free

Printable Mary, Mother of God Activities and
Prayers
By: Allie Johnston

In the month of May, as we prepare to celebrate mothers for their dedication and
importance to our families, we learn about and remember Mary, the Mother of God and th e
greatest saint, in a special way. Catholics honor Mary every day of the year through
prayer. We remember the many ways God blessed Mary. We read about Mary in Scripture.
But during the month of May, Mary is specially honored by devotions around the worl d. In
fact, May is the month of Mary. This May, celebrate Mary, the Church’s greatest saint, with
these suggested Mary, Mother of God activities and resources.

Mary, Mother of God Activities and Resources

IDEA #1: LEARNING ABOUT MARY
Mary, Mother of God Activity
Mary grew up learning about the promise of the Messiah. When she was a young girl, Mary
was engaged to a man named Joseph. Before they were married, she received a vision of
an angel who asked her to be the mother of the Messiah she had waited for her whole life.
Mary accepted, saying "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me
according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

Being the mother of Jesus was not an easy task. Mary’s life was full of great joys and great
sorrows.

Mary and Joseph were poor people, so they both worked hard to provide food and shelter
for Jesus. Mary raised her son in the traditions of her culture, presenting him in the temple
when he was a baby and taking him to Jerusalem for the religious festivals. Since she knew
who Jesus was and what his mission would be, it would have been a huge responsibility!
During one trip to Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph lost Jesus. Since he was only twelve years
old, they were very worried about him, and searched the city for three days. The y finally
found him in the temple, preaching to the elders and teachers.

When Jesus was an adult and began preaching, Mary accompanied him. She asked him to
perform the miracle at Cana, in which he turned water into wine. Mary was completely
faithful to the message that Jesus preached, and she was confident that he would grant her
request. She instructed other people who were there to "do whatever he tells you” (John
2:5).
Mary was also with Jesus when he carried his cross. She witnessed the terrible deed s that
others committed against him. Because of her faith, Mary did not leave Jesus when he was
suffering, even though it would have been a painful experience for her. She stood at the
foot of the cross still listening to him and trying to comfort him.

It was there that Jesus entrusted all of us to her care. This mission was very close to
Mary’s heart. She comforted the Apostles and prayed with them after Jesus' Ascension into
heaven. Mary was with the Apostles when they received the Holy Spirit at Pentecos t, and
watched them depart for many different countries to spread the Good News of God’s love.

Since Mary was the first to hear about the mission of Jesus, she is his first disciple. She
dedicated her life on earth to following him and supporting his work. She showed others
how to follow Jesus as well. Her faith came from an understanding of the great gifts that
God had given to her, especially the gift of her son Jesus.

By following Mary, we can see the way to love Jesus more deeply and appreciate how
much he loves us.

Help intermediate students understand that by learning about the life of Mary, we learn
what it means to be a disciple of Jesus with the Mary, Mother of God Activity.
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IDEA #2: SCRIPTURES ABOUT MARY, THE MOTHER OF

GOD
Mary Scripture Quest Activity
Mary was the first to hear about the mission of Jesus. Mary’s faith came from an
understanding of the great gifts that God had given to her, especially the gift of her Son,
Jesus. She dedicated her life on earth to following him and showing others how to follow
him. Have children and students study the Bible to learn more about Mary!

The Mary Scripture Quest Activity will challenge students to find, read, and cite passages
from their Bibles related to Mary, Mother of God.

All you need to plan and implement this Bible activity for teens is a Bible and a copy of
the Mary Scripture Quest Activity for each student. You may want to pair groups of
students to complete this bible worksheet together.
IDEA #3: MAY CROWNING OF MARY
Floral Reflections on the Hail Mary
Did you know that the rose, thistle, violet, marigold, carnation, lily, and forget -me-not each
have a legend that associates the flower with the Blessed Mother? Flowers are one of the
many symbols of Mary.

Some parishes have a celebration and a procession and coronation (or May crowning with
flowers) of the statue of Mary. Children enjoy participating in these events and honoring
Mary in this way, particularly if it’s a smaller scale crowning of a statue in their own
religious education classroom.

As spring flowers abound in the month of May, consider a May crowning of a statue of
Mary. Use fresh flowers or invite children to decorate paper flowers to use in a floral crown.
Compliment your May crowning of Mary with these Floral Reflections on the Hail Mary in
your home or parish.

With Flowers for Mary Prayer Card

We can also honor Mary in our prayers and supplications, and may she intercede for us
and bring us every day closer to God. Print and distribute prayer cards dedicated to our
mother, Mary. Download the With Flowers for Mary Prayer Card now.
IDEA #4: PRAYING THE ROSARY
The word rosary means “crown of roses.” Praying the Rosary is one of the many popular
devotions to Mary, and during the month of May some parishes may offer a daily recitation
of the Rosary. The Rosary is usually prayed using a string of beads with an attached
crucifix. The prayers we pray during the Rosary create a peaceful rhythm of prayer during
which we can reflect on special times in the lives of Jesus and Mary.

To pray the Rosary, begin with the Sign of the Cross. Then, pray the Apostles’ Creed. On
every large bead, pray the Our Father. On every small bead, pray the Hail Mary. Pray a
Glory Be to the Father after each set of small beads. To end the Rosary, p ray the Hail,
Holy Queen.

Each set of prayers is called a decade of the Rosary. While praying the Rosary, we recall a
different mystery at the beginning of each decade: the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful
Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, or the Mysteries of Light. One of the Joyful Mysteries—
the Visitation (the visit of Mary with Elizabeth as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, Luke
1:39–56)—is a feast day of Mary celebrated during this month, on May 25.

During Mary’s month, make an extra effort to pray the R osary at home with family members
or with the students in your religious education program.

IDEA #5: HONOR MARY WITH PRAYER

Praying with Mary Prayer Card
When Mary accepted her role as the Mother of the Savior, she knew that he was her Savior
as well. She exclaimed her gratitude to God in her prayer we call the Magnificat. We honor
Mary by praying this prayer, and other special prayers. We ask Mary to pray for us and
speak to her son on our behalf.

Explore and share some of these prayers with the Praying with Mary Prayer Card, which
contains prayers to honor Mary, Mother of God, and the Church’s greatest saint. Share it
with the students and families in your religious education program this month as you honor
Mary in a special way.
IDEA #6: DEVOTIONS TO MOTHER MARY
Marian Devotion Prayer Cards
During May, Mary is specially honored by devotions around the world.

Marian devotions are an integral and important part of our Catholic tradition. These Marian
Devotion Prayer Cards each feature Mary, the Mother of God, from a different Latin
American culture.
IDEA #7: COMMUNITY EVENT
Honoring Mary Around the World
Learn even more and appreciate ways the Church honors Mary throughout the world during
an Honoring Mary Around the World whole community event. Participants will learn how the
Church honors Mary through prayer, pilgrimages, and the celebration of feast days. They
will appreciate how Mary is honored around the world and in various cultures through art,
prayer, devotions, and pilgrimages made to Marian shrines. They will also identify ways
that Mary, through her life and faith, serves as a model for discipleship.

Download the Honoring Mary Around the World Handouts.

In Summary
May is the Month of Mary. By following Mary, we can see the way to love Jesus more
deeply and appreciate how much he loves us. Use these free resources to learn about and
remember Mary, the Mother of God.