TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO 10, ALL ABOUT MAY

The month of May held many customs and traditions.  Some are still observed, some have dwindled considerably and others have completely disappeared.  One which I am pretty sure disappeared with the closure of our Catholic Schools is the wearing of the blue ribbon and medal in honour of Our Lady. Oh, and May Altars.  Remember those lovely May Altars in classrooms and even in some of our homes? 

Another tradition was the daily recitation of the Rosary.  When the Virgin Mary appeared to the three children at Fatima in 1917, she asked that the Rosary be prayed daily.  

Of course there was that wonderful and still continuing tradition of getting away for the 24th weekend!  Up to the cabin or to a favourite fishing spot for a revitalizing breath of fresh air - never mind that it could very well snow!  That didn't diminish the pleasure of the 24th weekend one iota.

The St Patrick's Girls went off for the weekend too. Lawrence Pond or Seal Cove, anywhere at all, they were together and they enjoyed themselves!

Audrey Dawe-Sheppard reminded me of the beautiful May Crownings that were such a part of our young lives.  We sang some very lovely hymns and one of my favourites was this one, sung here by Emmett Cahill.

https://youtu.be/PxFux66sLWo?si=mpKpPXzDTLerdjED

I hope you will enjoy this little look back at the month of May.  If you have any memories, stories or pictures of May, Mary's month. please share them with us.  You can send them to me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

🌷🌻🌷🌻🌞⛅⛈🌂🌈⛄☔🌷🌸🌹🌻🌼🌹

AN OLD IRISH PRAYER

As the month of May, Mary's month, draws to a close, I thought we could see it out with this old Irish prayer.  It is a short prayer to Our Lady of the Wayside.

"for the sake of the Child 

you hold in your arms"

"Our Lady of the Wayside,

for the sake of the Child

you hold in your arms,

take hold of my hand

for the rest of the road."

Although the Covid 19 virus appears to have lessened in some places, it is still causing suffering and death around the world.  We certainly can do with Our Lady's help "for the rest of the road". Don't take any unnecessary risks and stay safe, everyone.

MAY, MARY'S MONTH

"Tis the month of Our Mother"

It is May again and the month of Mary, Our Blessed Mother.  For centuries, Catholics have honoured Christ's Mother with special devotions and traditions during the month of May.  Remember the school May Crowning?  The beautiful May Altar in every classroom and the daily Rosary recited around it?  Many set up May Altars at home.  Recitation of the Rosary was greatly encouraged at home too.  Who could forget the medal and blue ribbon pinned to our school uniforms?  All to honour Mary in her special month of May.

This May is a May like no other we have ever experienced.  Covid 19 is ravaging the world and it is no respecter of persons. Everyone is a potential victim. In the Litany of Loreto, we call upon Mary under many titles.  Two of them,  "Health of the sick" and "Comforter of the afflicted", remind us that Mary is always ready to come to the aid of suffering humanity.  

"Comforter of the afflicted"

St Andrew is the Patron Saint of Russia and there is an ancient Russian legend concerning the Saint and Our Lady.  The legend states that St Andrew, released from his earthly toil, hurried to heaven. Immediately he began searching for the Queen of Heaven.  "Where is she?" he inquired.  The reply?  "She is not here.  She is in the suffering world drying the tears of her weeping children."


Considering the dire situation we are in, this is a good time to turn to Our Mother Mary for assistance. A Challenge for this month! Pray a Rosary a day for the Month of May.  Are you up for/to it?

"Pray the Rosary"

Stay safe, stay well. May God and His Mother Mary bless and protect you and your families.