Sixth Sunday of Easter

Dear Parishioner,

May is a month in the church’s liturgical calendar when we honor the memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary so this is the Sunday for May Crowning. Every spring we ask Mary to intercede during the growing season so that we may have abundant crops. We crown her image as we do this.

A significant event happened last week when we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Pope Francis traveled to Portugal to canonize two of the children who saw the apparitions of Mary there in 1917. As is often the case he emphasized in this visit to Fatima ideas that are important to him as he teaches Catholicism.

First, he reminded everyone that Mary appeared to three peasant children out tending sheep. When Mary reveals herself, it is most often to the poor and powerless. If we want to imitate her discipleship our Marian piety should revolve around a desire that justice be achieved for those who are in the greatest need. We think of all the women, children and men throughout the world who flee for their lives in war zones across the globe.

The Pope also reminded everyone of Mary as patroness of peace. Mary appeared during the horrors of the First World War. People were questioning their believe in a loving God as they saw the hell of war played out as millions of people were slaughtered for no apparent reason. Our Marian piety needs to include a Peace and Justice thrust or it is not very dynamic. Marian devotions like all prayers should lead to action.

Mary is our mother. Mothers love us and challenge us to be better people. We pray that we may become better peace makers as we ponder Mary the Patroness of Peace.

Blessings,

Fr. Mark