The Month of Mary: Why Catholics Dedicate May to Our Lady
On May altars, open hands, and a mother who draws us closer to her Son.
There's something about May. The world wakes up. Flowers bloom. And for centuries, Catholics have turned their hearts toward Mary.
The Month of Mary is one of the Church's most beloved traditions—a time when families build May altars, children crown statues with flowers, and we remember that we have a mother in heaven who has never stopped interceding for us. For families looking to bring this tradition home, an Our Lady of Grace Catholic Plush Doll makes a beautiful centerpiece for a child-friendly May altar.
Why May?
The tradition of dedicating May to Mary stretches back centuries. In the Northern Hemisphere, May marks the height of spring—new life bursting forth everywhere. The Church saw in this natural renewal a reflection of Mary herself: the one through whom new life came into the world.
By the 18th century, the practice of dedicating the entire month to Mary had spread throughout Catholic Europe. Families would gather for evening prayers, churches would hold special devotions, and children would process with flowers to honor their heavenly Mother.
"The month of May, with its profusion of blooms, was set aside for Mary, whose bytes and heavenly charms are beyond all compare."
— Pope Paul VI, Mense Maio
Today, this tradition continues in homes, schools, and parishes around the world. And it's not just nostalgia—it's a way of keeping Mary close, especially for children who are just beginning to understand the faith.
Our Lady of Grace: Open Hands, Open Heart
The image of Our Lady of Grace is one of the most recognizable in Catholic devotion. Mary stands with her arms extended, hands open, rays of light streaming from her fingers toward the world below.
This image comes from the apparition to Saint Catherine Labouré in 1830. Mary appeared to the young nun and showed her the design for what would become the Miraculous Medal—one of the most widely worn sacramentals in the Church.
But look at her hands. They're not closed or grasping. They're open. Receiving from above. Pouring out below.
"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
— Prayer of the Miraculous Medal
This is the posture of grace itself: empty hands ready to receive, ready to give. Mary doesn't hoard what she's been given. She channels it. She shares it. She points always toward her Son.
Building a May Altar at Home
One of the most beautiful ways to celebrate the Month of Mary is to create a simple May altar in your home. It doesn't need to be elaborate—children often appreciate simplicity more than adults realize.
Simple May Altar Ideas
Find a space: A small table, shelf, or corner of a room works perfectly. Let children help choose the spot.
Add a Marian image: A statue, picture, or Our Lady of Grace Plush gives children something tangible to focus on.
Include flowers: Fresh or artificial—let children pick flowers from the yard or choose them at the store.
Light a candle: A battery-operated candle works well for homes with young children.
Pray together: Even a simple Hail Mary each day makes the altar a place of encounter, not just decoration.
The goal isn't perfection. It's presence. When children see Mary honored in the home, they understand that faith isn't just something that happens at church—it's woven into daily life.
Teaching Children About Mary
Children have an intuitive understanding of motherhood. They know what it means to be cared for, protected, held. This is why Marian devotion comes so naturally to them.
When we teach children about Mary, we're not adding something extra to the faith—we're showing them the tender, maternal face of God's love. Mary doesn't compete with Jesus. She leads us to Him. Every apparition, every message, every grace she channels points in the same direction: toward her Son.
For more ideas on teaching children about Mary and the saints, visit our It's Fun to Be Catholic blog for family-friendly resources.
A Thought for Parents
When children hold an Our Lady of Grace plush, they're not just holding a toy—they're holding a reminder that they have a mother in heaven who loves them. This tangible connection can make prayer feel less abstract and more like a conversation with someone who truly cares.
May Crownings: A Tradition Worth Keeping
One of the most beloved May traditions is the crowning of Mary. In parishes and schools, children process with flowers and place a crown on a statue of the Blessed Mother. It's a simple act, but it teaches something profound: that honoring Mary is an act of love, not obligation.
You can bring this tradition home, too. Let your children make a simple crown of flowers—real or paper—and place it on your Mary statue or plush at the beginning of May. Sing a Marian hymn together. Say a decade of the Rosary. These small rituals become cherished memories.
A Prayer for the Month of Mary
Mary, our Mother,
as we begin this month dedicated to you,
help us to open our hands as you opened yours—
ready to receive, ready to give.
Draw our family closer to your Son.
Teach us to trust as you trusted.
Wrap us in your care, today and always.
Our Lady of Grace, pray for us. Amen.
This May, may your home become a place where Mary is welcomed—not as an afterthought, but as a mother who has been interceding for your family since before you were born. Set up your altar. Say your prayers. And know that her hands are always open, always pouring out grace, always pointing toward Jesus.
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Mary, our Mother, pray for us.
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