Dr. H. Titilola OLOJEDE

It is another May devotion to Our Lady! I want to recall some of the devotion's significance and one of the numerous miracles recorded praying the Holy Rosary.

Before then, Pope St. John Paul II, in his Rosarium Virginis Mariae, Apostolic Letter on the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary, stated thus, "The Rosary has accompanied me in moments of joy and in moments of difficulty. To it, I have entrusted any number of concerns; in it, I have always found comfort. Twenty-four years ago, on 29 October 1978, scarcely two weeks after my election to the See of Peter, I frankly admitted: “The Rosary is my favourite prayer. A marvellous prayer! Marvellous in its simplicity and its depth. [...]."

 

What do we benefit from May Devotion?

• It encourages tender devotion to a Mother so good and draws closer to Our Lord
• It reminds us of Mary’s role as Advocate, Helper, Benefactress and Mediatrix (CCC #969)
• It helps us gain graces for the salvation of our souls and others.
• It enables us to imitate her numerous virtues.

Several miracles have been wrought through the intercession of our Blessed Lady in the Holy Rosary.

 

For instance, in 1944, Italy, the small Tuscan village of Montefiore found strength through their devotion to Mary during the war. Father Lorenzo organised a May procession despite ongoing conflict, with villagers decorating Mary's statue with wildflowers that brightened their grim surroundings. As villagers processed through streets singing softly, Sofia participated while worried about her missing soldier husband. When warplanes suddenly approached, Father Lorenzo held Mary's statue high while urging calm. Sofia remained frozen in fear in the street.

 

Remarkably, a dense fog suddenly covered the village, causing the pilots to abandon their mission. Villagers credited Mary's protection for their salvation, and word of the "Miracle of Montefiore" spread widely. Sofia continued praying, and eventually received a letter confirming her husband was alive in a hospital.

 

Upon his eventual return, the village celebrated joyfully. Sofia recognised Mary had answered her prayers. The procession, initially a symbol of hope during hardship, became evidence of faith's power and Mary's protection. Thereafter, Montefiore's devotion to Mary intensified, their story demonstrating how sincere Marian devotion can bring comfort, hope and miraculous intervention.

 

What title of Our Lady do you invoke the most? Mine is Our Mother of Perpetual Help. There is hardly a day I don’t invoke her under that title. Trust me, it works like magic 😁. I also love Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, Help of Christians. Cultivate or deepen your relationship with Her in this month of May and experience a spiritual renewal.

 

May Our Mother, Help of Christians, specially intercede for us in this month and beyond, Amin.