In our Church … From the Religious Education Coordinator
In our Church …
May – The Month of Mary
As we begin May we are reminded that this is the month the Church especially remembers Mary, the Mother of God. The following is taken from a resource Mr Anthony Cleary, Director of Mission and Identity for Sydney Catholic Schools, published for schools to use to honour Mary throughout this month.
In what ways can Mary be honoured in May?
In what ways can Mary be honoured in May? The ways of honouring Mary are as varied as the people who honour her. The most common way is through praying the Rosary, either at home or in parishes. It is common for parishes to have a daily recitation of the Rosary during May, and many parishes erect a special ‘May altar’ with a statue or picture of Mary as a reminder of Mary’s month. It’s also traditional to crown a statue of Mary during May – a custom known as ‘May Crowning.’ Usually, the crown is made of flowers representing Mary’s beauty and virtue, a reminder how we should strive to imitate Mary’s virtue in our own lives.
In addition to the Rosary, there are litanies and specific prayers such as the Angelus, the Regina Coeli, the Memorare, the Hail Holy Queen. Readings from Scripture can accompany these prayers, especially from the Gospels according to Matthew and Luke relating to Mary’s role in salvation history. Mary’s great prayer of praise and thanksgiving – the Magnificat – can also be recited and/or reflected upon.
Why have devotion to Mary? Because she is Jesus’ mother and hence Mother of God. At the foot of the Cross, Jesus gave Mary to St John to be our spiritual mother, to care for all the followers of Jesus day-in-and-day-out without fail, interceding before the throne of God on our behalf for all our needs. For that, Mary deserves an entire month in her honour.
Reflection: Carrying the Lantern
Nano Nagle’s feast day is technically celebrated on April 26, marking the day she died (26 April 1784).
The Feast of Nano Nagle is a moment for the Domremy College community to pause and honour the “Lady of the Lantern.” Nano’s life was defined by “Not words, but deeds,” as she risked her safety to bring education and hope to the marginalised in 18th-century Ireland.
For Domremy, the Presentation Sisters are the heartbeat of our identity. They instilled in our college a mission of social justice, hospitality, and the belief that education is a light meant to be shared. Today, we don’t just remember Nano; we become her “lantern bearers,” committing ourselves to courage and service in our own backyard
A Prayer for Nano Nagle’s Feast
Leader: Let us pray, Lord, we thank you for the life of Nano Nagle, whose courage turned the darkness of poverty into the light of hope.
All: May her lantern guide our feet toward those in need.
Leader: We pray for the Presentation Sisters, who brought Nano’s vision to Domremy. May we honour their legacy by being people of action, not just words.
All: Grant us the strength to be brave, the heart to be kind, and the wisdom to use our education for the good of all.
Leader: May the flame of faith burning in our hearts never grow dim. We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
Venerable Nano Nagle. Pray for us
Mrs Caroline Morizzi, Religious Education Coordinator