Devotions for the Month of May

The return of May, when nature, awakened from her winter sleep, is clad in all her vernal beauty, reminds us that all should be fair and bright within us also, that our hearts ought to be adorned with fair virtues, so as to be pleasing to Jesus and Mary. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, frequent meditation on her life and contemplation of her example, earnest endeavor to imitate her virtues - these are all excellent means of sanctifying the soul and of advancing in the love of God. And since the May devotions are intended to attain this laudable end, since they are commended to us by holy Church and enriched with indulgences, it especially behooves us, who are the adopted children of Mary and her devoted clients, to perform these exercises with a willing heart and in the spirit of piety. The following suggestions will serve as your guide.

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1. If possible, receive the sacraments at the beginning of the month of May, in order that the meditations and devotions may bear more abundant fruit in your soul.
2. The chapters in the fore part and at the end of this book will furnish you with suitable matter for meditation and spiritual reading; to this you may add the Litany of Loretto and other prayers to the Blessed Virgin.
3. As your principal object propose to yourself to combat and thoroughly master some fault or bad habit, and to acquire the opposite virtue.
4. Every morning offer up your actions to Jesus and Mary, and endeavor earnestly to model your whole conduct by the example of the Blessed Virgin.
5. If you can manage to hear Mass daily, see that you do so; and if the May devotions are not held in public, perform them by yourself, either in church before the shrine of Our Lady, or at home before your own little altar of the Blessed Virgin.
6. Recite the Rosary frequently.
7. Finally, do your utmost to promote devotion to our blessed Lady among those with whom you come into contact.

Prayer of St. Alphonsus de Liguori to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Most holy Virgin Immaculate, my Mother Mary, to thee who art the Mother of my Lord, the Queen of the universe, the advocate, the hope, the refuge of sinners, I who am the most miserable of all sinners, have recourse this day. I worship thee, great Queen, and I thank thee for the many graces thou hast bestowed upon me even unto this day; in particular for having delivered me from the hell which I have so often deserved by my sins. I love thee, most dear Lady, and for the love I bear thee, I promise to serve thee willingly forever and to do what I can to make thee loved by others also. I place in thee all my hopes for salvation; accept me as thy servant and shelter me under thy mantle, thou who art the Mother of mercy. And since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or at least get me the strength to overcome them until death. From thee I implore a true love for Jesus Christ. Through thee I hope to die a holy death. My dear Mother, by the love thou bearest to Almighty God. I pray thee to assist me always, but most of all at the last moment of my life. Forsake me not then, until thou shalt see me safe in Heaven, there to bless thee and sing of thy mercies through all eternity. Such is my hope. Amen.


THREE OFFERINGS IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
I. Holiest Virgin, with all my heart I venerate thee above all the angels and saints in paradise as the daughter of the eternal Father, and to thee I consecrate my soul and all its powers. Hail Mary...
II. Holiest Virgin, with all my heart I venerate thee above all the angels and saints in paradise as the Mother of the only-begotten Son, and to thee I consecrate my body with all its senses. Hail Mary...
III. Holiest Virgin, with all my heart I venerate thee above all the angels and saints in paradise as the spouse of the Holy Ghost, and to thee I consecrate my heart and all its affections, praying thee to obtain for me from the ever-blessed Trinity all the graces which I need for my salvation. Hail Mary...


St. Aloysius' Act of Consecration
O Holy Mary, my Mistress, into thy blessed trust and special keeping, into the bosom of thy tender mercy, this day, every day of my life and at the hour of my death, I commend my soul and body; to thee I entrust all my hopes and consolations, all my trials and miseries, my life and the end of my life, that through thy most holy intercession and thy merits, all my actions may be ordered and disposed according to thy will and that of thy divine Son. Amen.

Prayer to Our Queen of the Most Holy Rosary
Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, in these times of such brazen impiety, manifest thy power with the signs of thine ancient victories, and from thy throne, whence thou dost dispense pardon and grace, mercifully regard the Church of thy Son, His Vicar on earth, and every order of clergy and laity, who are sore oppressed in the mighty conflict. Do thou, who art the powerful vanquisher of all heresies, hasten the hour of mercy, even though the hour of God's justice is every day provoked by the countless sins of men. For me who am the least of men, kneeling before thee in supplication, do thou obtain the grace I need to live righteously upon the earth and to reign among the just in Heaven, that while in company with all faithful Christians throughout the world, I salute thee and acclaim thee as Queen of the most Holy Rosary:
     Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.

From the Catholic Girl's Guide, which I've written about here, and here.