May has traditionally been observed as a month dedicated to Mary, Mother of God. It is also the month in which we celebrate our earthly mothers through the observance of Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day provides a beautiful opportunity to pray for all mothers, including those facing an unexpected pregnancy.  However, it can be a difficult holiday for many, including those struggling with infertility, those who have lost children, and those who have lost their own mothers.

This activity seeks to lift up the many intentions laid on our hearts by the observance of Mother’s Day and offer them to Our Blessed Mother, during the month honoring her. It also provides a way to give thanks for her maternal love and care for us. On the weekend of Mother’s Day, family members are invited to write a prayer intention on a slip of paper and offer it, along with a flower or some other type of offering, if possible, to Our Lady.

To present your spiritual bouquet to Our Lady,  place the intentions and flowers* beneath a statue, icon, or image of the Blessed Mother.  This can be done in your own home, or you may place them on the statue of Mary in front of the church.
 
Materials
• *Flowers, greenery, or some other type of small gift like flowers or hearts cut out of
    colored construction paper
 • Small note cards or slips of paper
 • Pens, crayons, or markers
• Small basket or other container to hold the prayer intentions (If bringing to OLGC, these
   will be provided at the base of the statue)
 • Vase of water (if using fresh flowers or greenery)
• Statue, icon, or image of the Blessed Virgin Mary
  * This activity can also be completed without flowers or any other type of gift. Simply place your written
    intentions in a basket before the designated statue or image of Our Lady. Or, you could draw a flower or
    another image next to your prayer intention on the paper.

For a copy of the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Life, please visit respectlifeprogram.org/may