"We love and honor Mary because Christ loved her first. God chose Mary from all other women to ask to bring Jesus into the world, and Mary said yes! Her whole life was spent glorifying God. At His death on the Cross, Jesus gave the Church His Mother as our own. We often honor Mary by having a picture or statue of her in our homes and churches, much like you hang up pictures of your family members. One way to show Mary your love and ask for her prayers is to create a little Marian Shrine. You can decorate it with flowers and candles. In the Month of May, we have a May Crowning - We celebrate Mary by giving her a crown of flowers, remembering that Jesus has made her the Queen of Heaven.
Our love for Mary is because she always leads us to her Son."
On the 5 decades (sets of 10 beads) of a rosary, we pray and meditate on the corresponding set of 5 Mysteries from the Joyful Mysteries, the Sorrowful Mysteries, the Glorious Mysteries, or the Luminous Mysteries.
Joyful Mysteries: Through the Annunciation (1) and Visitation (2), we get a glimpse at Mary’s joyful yes to God. She gives birth to Jesus in the Nativity (3). Mary and Joseph present their son at the temple (4) and bring him there again when he is a teenager (5).
Luminous Mysteries: Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River (1) before Mary gives him a nudge to his first miracle at Cana (2). Jesus proclaims the Gospel (3), is transfigured on Mount Tabor (4), and institutes the Eucharist (5). The light is shining!
Sorrowful Mysteries: Jesus prays in agony in Gethsemane (1), knowing his hour of suffering has come. After his betrayal and arrest, Jesus is scourged (2) and crowned with thorns (3). He carries his cross (4), and Mary stands at the foot of the cross as he is crucified (5).
Glorious Mysteries: Christ is risen in glory (1)! After appearing to those he loves, he ascends into heaven (2). Jesus’ followers receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (3). Mary, unaffected by original sin, is assumed body and soul into heaven (4), where she is crowned queen, humble mother of Christ the King (5).
©LPi
This spring might be the best spring ever to make plans to make your yard and patio beautiful spaces for you and your family to enjoy. We would like to encourage you to consider dedicating a space at your home for a spiritual garden. A spiritual garden is a space with beautiful flowers, shrubs, or herbs and a statue of your favorite saint or Jesus. Gardens dedicated to our Blessed Mother Mary are very popular but you could also have a garden dedicated to Jesus, St. Joseph, St. Francis, or any other saint for whom you have a devotion. Gardens can be large spaces or a simple beautiful pot on your patio. Many spiritual gardens were started in homes with plants that were meant to tell the stories of our faith just as our stained glass windows in our churches tell the stories of faith.
The list of plants below and their meaning will help you decide what to plant in your garden. LIST
Below sources you can use to order religious statues and other garden supplies.
Places to purchase garden statues:
Share with us your spiritual garden and inspire others. Send a picture of your garden to communications@stthomasmorechurch.org.
Ways to Honor Mary!
Read a book about Mary. BOOK LIST
Plant a Mary Garden. PLANT LIST
Read about Mary: Bible References
How to a draw Marian Symbol: HERE
Enroll yourself and family in the Scapular of Mary. HERE
Create a playlist of songs about Mary on your favorite music platform