Catechetical Corner – Queen of the May
The Queen of the May, also known as Bring Flowers of the Rarest, is one of the most popular Marian Hymns. It was written by Mary E Walsh, an American composer sometime before 1870 and is based on a traditional 13th century Catholic Hymn. As we all know, the hymn is about us bringing flowers to our Blessed Mother during the month of May, just when the early summer flowers are coming into bloom. Just as anyone would be happy to see their parent honoured, so too is Jesus pleased when we honour HIS mother in this way. After all she is our mother too. “This is your mother” (Jn.19:27)
There is an old Latin adage that goes: ‘Ad Jesum per Mariam – To Jesus through Mary’. This is Mary’s role in salvation, to lead us to her Son and ultimately to the Father. The Son of God came into the world through Mary, Mary always wants to lead us closer and into deeper relationship with her Son. The first public miracle that Jesus worked at the wedding of Cana was done so at the request of Mary; “They have no wine…” (Jn.2:3)
The feast of the Ascension, which we celebrate today, makes sense only in the light of the feast of Pentecost, which we celebrate next week. “it is for your own good that I am going, because unless I go, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you”(Jn.16:7) Pentecost is seen as the birthday of the Church, and the Monday after Pentecost is the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church: “After her Son’s Ascension, Mary “aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers.” In her association with the apostles and several women, “we also see Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] #965).
From the Annunciation right through to the Passion and death of her Son, Mary maintained a unique and unbroken connection to Jesus and so is uniquely placed to lead us to Him: Because of the way that she cooperated with the Saviour’s work she is “mother to us in the order of grace” (CCC #968) “This mother hood of Mary…continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and…sustained beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation… (CCC #969)
Take a look at the Icon of Mary holding the Baby Jesus. The Infant is sitting on her left arm. Her right hand is pointing towards the Infant. She is almost presenting the Baby Jesus. Just as any mother would, she is saying; ‘don’t mind me, here is my beautiful child.’
The role of the Queen of the May is to watch over and protect us, to lead us safely home. In honouring Mary we honour her Son. As we ‘bring flowers of the fairest’ let us also take some time to be with our Blessed Mother and let her lead us closer to her Son, for true devotion to Mary will always lead us to a deeper relationship with Jesus.