Each May, we celebrate Mother’s Day, a time to honor the selfless love and sacrifice of mothers everywhere. This secular holiday aligns beautifully with the Catholic tradition of dedicating May to Mary, the Mother of God, whose life exemplifies maternal care and spiritual strength.

Adding depth to this season was Pope Francis’ profound devotion to Mary, which offers a lens through which we can reflect on motherhood, faith, and compassion. Mother’s Day is observed in many countries and invites us to recognize the indispensable role of mothers. Beyond gifts and gestures, it’s a moment to appreciate their nurturing, resilience, and quiet sacrifices — qualities that echo Mary’s own journey.

Mary embodied the ultimate act of trust and surrender to God’s will, saying “yes” at the annunciation despite the uncertainties ahead. Her example resonates with mothers who face daily challenges with courage and love. The designation of May as the Marian month, rooted in medieval traditions, invites Catholics to deepen their devotion to Mary through prayers, rosaries, and reflections.

This practice highlights Mary’s role as a spiritual mother, interceding for humanity and guiding believers toward her son. The month is marked by feasts like Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, recalling Mary’s apparitions and messages of peace. These traditions remind us of Mary’s enduring presence, offering comfort and hope in turbulent times.

Pope Francis’ love for Mary amplified these themes. His devotion was deeply personal, shaped by his Jesuit spirituality. He frequently visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, praying before the icon of Salus Populi Romani (Protectress of the Roman People) before and after international trips.

In 2013, he consecrated his papacy to Our Lady of Fatima, and in 2020, he called for a global rosary to seek Mary’s intercession during the pandemic. And his 2025 Marian focus, as part of the Jubilee Year, emphasized Mary as a model of hope and pilgrimage, urging Catholics to emulate her openness to God’s grace.

Pope Francis often spoke of Mary as a mother who accompanies the suffering. In his 2017 homily at Fatima, he described her as “a mother who
not only leads us to her son but also walks with us, sharing our joys and sorrows.” This vision aligns with his broader message of mercy, encouraging us to care for the marginalized as Mary cared for Jesus. His emphasis on the rosary as a tool for peace reflected his belief in Mary’s power to unite and heal a fractured world.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day and the Marian month, Pope Francis’ devotion invites us to see Mary not as a distant figure but as a living presence — a mother who inspires and consoles. Her example challenges us to honor all mothers, biological and spiritual, by supporting them in their vital
roles. In a world marked by division, Mary’s humility and Pope Francis’ call to compassion remind us that love, like a mother’s embrace, can bridge any divide.

This May, let us give thanks for mothers, draw closer to Mary, and, through Pope Francis’ lens, recommit to lives of faith, service, and unity.