THE MONTH OF MARY. THE HISTORY OF THE MAY DEVOTION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 2, 13 May 1898, Page 3

THE MONTH OF MARY. THE HISTORY OF THE MAY DEVOTION.

IT would be impossible to say for certain who it was that instituted this beautiful and appropriate devotion of the Month of Mary. Most of the popular devotions that have become general in the Church have sprung Up spontaneously among the people, and this, too, would seem to be the case with the devotion of the Month of Mary. Some say that it was instituted by St. Philip Neri some three centuries ago, others that it was instituted by Father Mazzolari, a Roman Jesuit. It ia certain that this holy priest composed a beautiful little book called Month of Mury, the first book of its kind published. But publication of this book only proves that it is certain that the devotion had been in existence before his time — as it really was. In the city of Mantua, so far back as the year 1442 — 445 years ago — the people had the pious custom of lighting candles at the altar of the Blessed Virgin, and praying to her especially during the month of May. And Pope Martin V. (crowned 1417) granted a plenary indulgence, to be gained on all Sundays in May. Those whose opinions seem to deserve the most weight give Henry Suso the honour of first suggesting this devotion — first started or gave it an impetus. He was a Dominican, and lived in the fourteenth century — five centuries ago — but we cannot say at what time or place he first established it. One thing, however, is

admitted beyond all question — it is, that the honour of establishing it. and taking it up, belongs to Italy. The devotion of the Italians for the Blessed Lady is singularly enthusiastic. There is nothing similar with us, and it will not express the extent of the feeling towards her when I tell you that it is far more lively and intense all the year round than an Irishman's enthusiasm for his national apostle on St. Patrick's Day. This May devotion, once begun in Italy, spread with great rapidity. All the towns in Italy adopted it almost at the same time ; it became universal, and took a wonderful hold on the people's hearts. Feeiing spread, soon crossed the mountains into Catholic France, and in a short time Catholic nations eagerly seized on it. Zealous missionaries carried it everywhere, even into the heart of distant China, and to-day it may be called a world-wide devotion — as widespread as the Catholic Church. The popularity of the May dovotions in Italy is something extraordinary, particularly in Rome. Devotions are held at different, hours of the morning and evening every day in more than fifty groat churches, and are crowded to excess by devout throngs of our Lady's clients, who go to join in the exercises of piety and hear sermons in praise of our Immaculate Mother. These services are all carried out with extraordinary pomp and splendour — churuhe9 illuminated, ornamented pictures, flowers hung with silk drapery, coloured drapery, incense, and music heard as such as only the land of song can produce. This not alone in great churches, but in 200 j other chapels, confraternities, convents, and even prisons and private I oratories, which are to be found even in the houses of the poor. Everywhere, rich and poor, young and old, clergy and laity, all celebrate the Month of Mary. All over Italy dwellings are decorated with images of our Lady and little devotions. In towns and villages little school children are taught to preach the praises of Mary, write poems in her honour, and people assemble every evening, pray, say night prayers, and sing hymns to our Lady in open air before her statue. Italians are ever calling on Mary, and with increased fervour during the month consecrated to her. Not in the world is a land more favoured by our Lady, not one in which the devotion to her more universal, more tender and intense than in Italy. In France likewise, in country places and provincial towns, the Month of Mary is kept with great enthusiasm. At the present day it is hard to find a chapel in France, no matter how poor or humble, but has its daily devotions in honour of our Lady. Here and there, there are hamlets or small villages some distance from the church, so the people make the choice of some central house, erect an altar, offer prayers, read pious books, and end with hymns to our Blessed Lady. And so of other Catholic countries of Europe. Pope Pious VII. granted 300 days' indulgence daily to all the faithful who, during this month, say some prayer or perform some act of piety in honour of the Blessed Virgin either in private or in public, and plenary indulgence on any day of the month chosen on the usual condition. These indulgences are confirmed for ever, and are applicable to souls in Purgatory. Let us, in union with the Church in honouring Blessed Mary during the remainder of the month, reverence her with all the strength of our faith, all the ardour of our affections, remembering that to honour her is to honour our Saviour, whom she bore. Honour her by tribute of prayer and praise now and every day G-od gives us ; honour her above all by labouring to imitate her virtues — her chastity, humility, and patience — the surest way of meriting her powerful patronage now and at the hour of our doath.