Mary, Mother of God and model disciple

May 02, 2025

The month of May holds a cherished place in the heart of the Catholic Church. It is more than just a time of blooming flowers and gentle transitions into summer—it is, above all, the Month of Mary, a time dedicated to honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary as both Mother of God and Mother of the Church. This devotion is steeped in both theological depth and heartfelt tradition, inviting the faithful into a deeper relationship with Mary as a spiritual mother, guide, and model disciple.

The connection between May and Mary may seem, at first glance, symbolic or seasonal. Indeed, in ancient times, May was associated with fertility and new life, with Greeks and Romans dedicating it to deities of fecundity such as Flora. As Christianity spread, these pagan customs were not discarded but transformed and infused with new meaning that now centres on the one who bore life itself in her womb. The Church, in her wisdom, integrated cultural rhythms into spiritual realities, and thus May became the month to honour the woman who said a pure and powerful “yes” to God: Mary of Nazareth.

Marian Devotion: A Tradition Through the Ages
The formal dedication of May to Mary gained traction in medieval monastic communities, growing more widespread by the 18th century, thanks in large part to the Jesuits. With papal encouragement from leaders like Pope Pius IX and Pope Paul VI, who emphasised Marian devotion in his 1965 encyclical Mense Maio, the tradition became deeply embedded in Catholic liturgical life.

In parishes and homes around the world, May is marked by special devotions — rosaries prayed daily, Marian altars adorned with fresh flowers, and heartfelt hymns sung in Mary’s honour. Families set up prayer corners, statues are crowned, and processions wind through streets, carrying images of Mary draped in blossoms and ribbons. These outward acts of love and reverence express something much deeper: the faithful’s spiritual bond with the woman whom Jesus, from the Cross, gave to us all as our Mother.

Behind these expressions of piety is a profound theological foundation. As the Mother of Jesus, true God and true man, Mary is not just the mother of a historical figure. She is the Mother of God, a title that emerged from the early Church’s struggle to articulate the mystery of the Incarnation. Moreover, because Christ gave her to us through St John (“Behold your mother”), she stands as our mother too, interceding, comforting, and guiding us with a maternal care that is not earthly alone, but heavenly.

The Mary of Devotion and the Mary of Scripture
Catholic theologian Fr Ronald Rolheiser once noted an important distinction between the “Mary of Devotion” and the “Mary of Scripture.” The Mary of Devotion is the one whose statues we venerate, whose intercession we seek through the Rosary, and whose apparitions in places like Lourdes and Fatima continue to inspire millions. This Mary is tender, accessible, and near to those who suffer. She is often found not in the halls of power or prestige, but in the humble villages, speaking to children and the poor, those who, like her, are meek and lowly of heart.

Yet, devotion without depth risks sentimentality, or worse, superstition. Our love for Mary must always be anchored in the Mary of Scripture, the one presented in the Gospels as the model disciple, the one who listens, believes, and obeys. Her words at the Annunciation, “Let it be done to me according to your word,” are the foundation of her discipleship, a fiat that reverberates through her entire life, even to the foot of the Cross.

Mary’s greatness lies not just in her role as Mother of God, but in her radical openness to mystery, her capacity to trust without understanding, and her strength to suffer without resentment. When Jesus declares that “whoever does the will of God is my mother and my brother and my sister,” Mary does not protest or claim privilege. Instead, she continues to live out her quiet obedience, showing us that discipleship is not about status, but surrender.

She is the new Eve, whose “yes” unties the knot of Eve’s rebellion. The first Eve grasped at the fruit to know all things, to remove mystery. The second Eve embraced mystery, trusted the unknown, and gave life to the Saviour. In her acceptance, she did not demand clarity — only the strength to say yes.

Mary at the Cross: The Birth of a New Humanity
At Calvary, we see the culmination of Mary’s discipleship and her motherhood. She stands silently beneath the Cross, not shaking her fist in anger, but sharing in the redemptive suffering of her Son. Her pain is not passive; it is active, generative, akin to a mother in labour. As Christ’s death opened the gates of heaven, Mary’s sorrow bore the weight of new spiritual motherhood.

One might see Calvary as the world’s labour ward — through suffering, something new is born. In this moment, Mary becomes not just the Mother of Christ but the Mother of all humanity. Her silent solidarity, her unwavering presence, her refusal to turn away — these are marks of true love and true discipleship.

Living the Marian Spirit in Daily Life
Honouring Mary in May, then, is not merely a pious tradition. It is a call to transformation. It is an invitation to model her humility, her attentiveness to God’s word, her capacity to reflect deeply, and her courage to act. Through daily rosaries, songs of praise, and acts of service, we align our hearts more closely with hers.

Modern communities also embody her spirit through educational initiatives and works of charity, particularly toward women and children, reflecting Mary’s compassion and strength. These acts are not only devotional but deeply incarnational. They bring Mary’s virtues to life in the here and now.
Crowned in Glory

May’s devotions culminate in the crowning of Mary, symbolising her as Queen of Heaven and Earth. But her queenship is not one of jewels and power — it is the crown of the woman who served, who wept, who believed. In crowning her, we honour not only her role but her virtues, her faith, and her motherhood.

Indeed, we are blessed to call her Mother. As this month unfolds, let us not only venerate her but also imitate her. May she lead us ever closer to her Son, helping us to echo her words in our own lives: “Be it done unto me according to your word.” --Agencies