The Monthly Note
May 2008
It is the most beautiful month!
by Fr. Jacques Lauzier, OP
Why do we say that May is the most beautiful month? Probably because we are exhausted of all the after such a long winter.
Especially this year with such an overgenerous snow offering from Mother Nature! Maybe it is also because, according to a hymn, it is the month of Mary. Here are a few lines.
«'Tis the month of our Mother The blessed and beautiful days,
«When our lips and our spirits, are glowing with love and with praise.
«All Hail! to thee, dear Mary, the guardian of our way;
To the fairest of Queens, Be the fairest of seasons, sweet May.»
2. Let us sing then, rejoicing, that God hath so honoured our race,
as to clothe with our nature, Sweet Mary, the Mother of Grace.
At the beginning of May, the blessed Dominican Henri Suso, had a tradition of braiding a wreath with the spring blossoms and offering them to the Virgin Mary as a sign of affection and devotion. Unfortunately, here in the province of Quebec, except for crocuses and tulips, arrive later. But that should not keep us from offering other kind of flowers that will be just as appreciated, and maybe even more, from our Heavenly Mother. You will have certainly guessed that I am talking about spiritual flowers. And the ones Mary prefers are our acts of charity.
Why? Because she spent all her life being a «woman-devoted-to-others» Remember Cana. It is her for her that she asked Jesus to perform His first miracle. And for who do you think she intercedes in Heaven? She only thinks of us! During this month, we should do an effort and think more of others and less in ourselves. And if we could add a few «Ave Maria» Mary would surely be happy. Surely, she will present her Son the requests that we will make her, just like she did at Cana. Her request was then granted…
We have everything to gain by praying Mary. She is our Mother. She loves us. Don’t we forget her a bit too often?
And now for an important notice. Please be advised that as of June first, the shrine on Saint Denis Street will be permanently closed. The religious activities of the Shrine will be transfered to our conventual church located at 2715 Cote-Ste-Catherine Road. The Thursday mass in honour ofSaint-Jude will continue to be regularly celebrated and the Dominicans will continue to intercede toSaint-Jude for you and present your request. Even the most desperate. «for nothing will be impossible for God » (Luke 1, 37).
