The month of May is a time of year that Canadians look forward to with much anticipation. May brings warmth, seasonal growth, and a special day dedicated to our Mothers. Mother's Day, celebrated on Sunday, May 11th, is a time to recognize and honor the tremendous sacrifices and unconditional love that our moms give. Just like our mother here on earth loves us, we too are loved and called to love and pray our intercessions through Mother Mary with our rosaries.

Catholics around the world recognize the month of May as an important time of prayer focused on the Blessed Virgin Mary. Families gather within the Church or their homes and pray the dedicated Mysteries of the Rosary. The Mysteries of the Rosary are prayers and meditation upon the moments in the life and death of Jesus Christ, from the Annunciation to the Ascension. The Mysteries of the Rosary are the Joyful (prayed on Mondays and Saturdays), Glorious (prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays), Sorrowful (prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays), and Luminous (prayed on Thursdays). Some countries will spend the entire month, day after day, in devotional prayer through Mother Mary. Mary is the Mother of the Church and serves as a remarkable example within our Catholic faith of servant love to God and mankind. Mary's "yes" to the Holy Spirit to conceive the Son of God is a tremendous example of self-giving and unyielding faith.

Mary reminds us that we, too, are called to serve the Church of God with an open and fully committed heart and to say "Yes" to loving and meeting the needs of people around us who need caring support.

An excellent quote reminds us, "Wherever there is faith there is the example of Mary because she lived by faith as the Scriptures remind us.... if, then, piety is the virtue which binds us to the sources of all life, to God, to our parents, to the Church, to Christ, certainly Christian piety binds us, in grateful love, to Mary — or our acceptance of Christ and the mystery of our kinship with Him is imperfect, partial, and unfulfilled."

During this month, make an effort or even make a disciplined habit of praying the rosary alone or with your loved ones. May the Month of Mary bring you love, peace and faith in our resurrected Lord. Let's also be sure to take time and make the effort to thank our mothers for all the love, support, teaching, and nurturing they have provided throughout our lives. On behalf of ECACS, Happy Mother's Day, and may God bless all our moms with good health, much joy, and tremendous happiness!