Fr. Killian’s Letter. “May is Mary’s Month.”
May is Mary’s Month!
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We know that traditionally May is observed in honor of our Blessed Mother. After our Lord Jesus Christ, Mary is the most honored person in the Church. I invite all of us to renew our devotion to Our Lady during the month of May, especially through the daily praying of the Rosary.
I also invite you to attend our Monday evening devotions in honor of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. According to a Redemptorist website:
“Since 1866 the Redemptorists have spread devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the icon and title of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (also known as Our Lady of Perpetual Help). According to tradition, the ancient Byzantine icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help was stolen from a church in Crete, where many miracles had occurred. The image remained in the private possession of a Roman merchant and his family until 1499, when it was publicly displayed in the Church of St. Matthew in Rome between the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. When St. Matthew’s was destroyed in 1789, the icon was rescued and hung in an obscure monastery chapel until the Redemptorists learned that the site of their new headquarters in Rome had once been the site of St. Matthew’s, the one-time home of a miraculous icon of Our Lady. A Redemptorist priest who as a young man had frequented the monastery chapel that displayed the icon informed his brothers where to find the image. The Redemptorists asked Pope Pius IX for permission to move the icon to their new church, San Alfonso, which was built on the location of the icon’s earlier home. The pope granted his permission and told the Redemptorists to ‘make her known throughout the world.’”
By attending the Monday devotions each week at 7:00 p.m., we have the opportunity to place before our Mother any and all needs with an act of trust in her help. And next Monday, May 8th, we shall have the joy of welcoming Deacon Gerard Anthony of our diocese who will lead the prayers as well as give a sermon. Deacon Anthony’s talk is “All in the Hands of Mary: a Reflection on the Left Hand of Mary and her Immaculate Heart.” Deacon is a well-regarded speaker on Our Blessed Mother. You will want to be sure and attend.
May this May be a time of special grace for us and our families as we entrust ourselves to Our Lady’s continued intercession.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Killian
