May when the Church pays special homage to the Virgin Mary. Through her words and deeds as the mother of Jesus, she embodies wholehearted trust in God and testifies to Christ’s salvation. Since the end of the 13th century, the Church has dedicated the month of May to Mary, giving Christian meaning to the secular celebrations at the time. Venerable Pope Pius XII and Pope St. Paul VI also affirmed the value of honouring Mary in the encyclical, Mense Maio.
Mary became pregnant before marriage, a negative in Jewish society at the time. Although her fiancé, Joseph, did not say anything publicly, he considered ending the engagement. However, an angel appeared to him in a dream and told him that Mary had conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph then accepted and protected the mother and child.
Mary’s own response was very brave: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” [Luke 1:38]. She remained firmly faithful and trusted God with all her heart even facing tremendous difficulties. Her faith in is absolutely something we should emulate.
On May 13, 106 years ago, the Virgin Mary appeared for the first time in Fatima, Portugal, to the little shepherds Lucia, Francis and Yaxianda. She asked them to say the Rosary and pray for world peace and an end to the war. After that, she appeared on the 13th of the month for five consecutive months [the last time being 13 October 1917], urging the world to repent and convert, and at the same time foretelling the emergence of wars, the destruction of countries, and the suffering of the pope. Those prophecies were fulfilled one by one.
Due to people’s greed, selfishness, pride, cruelty and other factors, true global peace has yet to be achieved. The Russia-Ukraine conflict in Europe has been going on for over a year. Ukrainians are still suffering; they have been forced to leave their homes or flee to other countries.
In mid-April in Sudan, government forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces clashed in the capital, Khartoum, and the situation quickly became deteriorated. The fighting gradually spread to other cities and regions, with hundreds of people, including many civilians, killed in the first two weeks of the conflict. Hundreds of thousands have fled to neighbouring countries. Several countries have also sent military aircraft to evacuate expatriates and the current situation is worrying.
Pope Francis expressed his concered, and called on the country’s leaders to stop violence and resume dialogue during the early stages of the conflict.
In a public audience on the first Wednesday of May, the pope also mentioned the Marian apparitions in Fatima and asked pilgrims to pray for Ukraine, saying: “We entrust the suffering Ukrainian people to Our Lady of Consolation and to the Queen of Peace, Mary.”
On the second Sunday of May we celebrate Mother’s Day. Let us join with the mothers on earth and pray for world peace to the merciful Mother Mary in heaven, so that everyone can enjoy true peace. SE
