Devotion to the Virgin Mary in the month of May

Right from April, the hearts of Catholics are excited to prepare to turn to Mother Mary as a beacon to show respect and love. May, also known as the month of Flowers, therefore has a special meaning for Catholics..In life, everyone once heard the following words of love:

“Mother is a sweet stream”

"Mother is a gentle shade"

“Mother is the source of endless love”

The image of the earthly mother of the pagans also urges and haunts the Catholics towards the Mother in heaven. The devotion to the Virgin Mary of the Catholics is imbued with respect and love because it is imbued with maternal love.

Meaning of the month of flowers

Mother Mary is also considered the most wonderful woman. She has a beautiful soul and a beautiful body. Therefore, the flowers give off a sweet fragrance, symbolizing her virtues. At the same time, the colors of the flowers symbolize that she is the Mother of all creatures when she accepts the role of Mother of God.

The Virgin Mary is also compared to the Ark of God, and flowers were used to decorate the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament. Thus, the Virgin Mary is always with God. And flowers are with her…!

We must remember that in the Old Testament, God commanded Moses to make buds and petals to decorate the seven-branched lampstand placed before the Ark of the Covenant. Or like Solomon, he ordered the artisans to carve petals inside and outside to decorate the Holy of Holies in the temple.

From there, flowers in the liturgy or tradition of Catholics have always been respected. They are used to decorate the sanctuary, altar or to show respect to the saints, especially the Virgin Mary. That is, flowers are used in a solemn position in the liturgical life of the Church.

Mother Mary is likened to a fragrant flower before the throne of God, but before that, she was also a very ordinary person like many other women. However, she was chosen by God, and through her "Yes", she became perfect. She became a fragrant flower before the throne of God. Why is that, sir? Simply because she is the Mother of God and as a matter of course.

The meaning of offering flowers to Mother

Why offer flowers and not other things? Answer! It is very simple, because flowers are the most beautiful thing in all that God has created, so Jesus compared the splendor and beauty of flowers to that of King Solomon: “Look at the lilies of the field. They do not keep gates or spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.”

Churches often organize flower offerings to honor the Mother, at this time, each flower color symbolizes a feeling that children want to offer to the Mother, or praise a certain virtue of the Mother. Thus, flowers are a symbol of the Mother's heart and also a symbol of the human heart:

White lilies symbolize the purity of the Virgin Mary;

The rose represents the passionate love that Mary had for God;

Orchids exude loyalty, strength and courage in Mother;

The lotus symbolizes surrender, generosity and respect to the Mother;

Purple flowers symbolize modesty…

We Vietnamese, regardless of religion or non-religion, when we are grateful to someone or respect someone, we often express our feelings through a bouquet or flowers.

For Catholics, important events in the life of faith such as: Baptism; Confirmation; Marriage; or Holy Orders, people also give flowers to those being celebrated, and even when they die, people express this with flowers on the coffin, next to the portrait or at the grave.

Or when facing misfortune, accidents, illnesses, or when recovering from illness, people also offer flowers to show gratitude to God, the Virgin Mary, and the saints...

Therefore, every May, from everywhere, all groups and ages are happy and excited to offer Mother beautiful flowers./.