The month of May is special to our Blessed Mother Mary. During the month of May, draw closer to Mary in your own prayer life and invite your students to get to know her better. Mary is a perfect example of discipleship. She prayed and listened to discover God’s will for her.  She was faithful to her Jewish faith, which promised that a Messiah would come. She was open to hearing God’s direction, and she responded quickly and fully.  She didn’t always know where the path would lead, but she courageously took the step into the unknown will of God. She faithfully persevered with her son, even to the cross.

Mary was a catechist. With St. Joseph her husband, she introduced Jesus to the rites and statutes of the Law of Moses, prayed the Psalms, and taught him the history of Israel. Jesus learned from Mary and Joseph to attend the Sabbath services at the local synagogue and to travel once a year to the Temple of Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.

Mary in the Bible: 

All that is known of Mary is found in the Bible, specifically in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles.  She played a vital role in salvation history and committed her life to her family, making a home for Jesus and Joseph. As the Catechism tells us, “Christ chose to be born and grow up in the bosom of the holy family of Joseph and Mary. The Church is nothing other than “the family of God.”  (CCC, 1655)
The following are New Testament texts that include some reference to Mary. Select one or more texts and reflect on their meaning for your own life as a disciple.

• Events surrounding the birth of Jesus: Matthew 1:1-2:23 and Luke 1:5-2:52
• Mary during the public ministry of Jesus: Mark 3:20-35, Matthew 12:46-50, Luke 8:19-21; 11:27-28
• Mary in the gospel of John: John 2: 1-12, John 19: 25-27
• Mary and the Church: Acts 1: 6-14

Do we contemplate and ponder the spiritual events in our lives?  Do we act quickly and obediently to God’s call in our lives?  Do we model faithful Christianity?  

Activities for the Classroom:

Have students look up and read one or more of the New Testament texts in which Mary plays a role. You could also print out the readings ahead of time and assign small groups to read the Scripture passage silently. For younger students, tell them the story aloud. Ask: What did Mary do in this story?

Ideas for prayer in honor of Mary for your classroom and at home:

• Create a special prayer space with an icon or image of Mary. It is lovely to add flowers to the table.
• Pray the Hail Mary or a decade of the rosary each day during the month of May.
• Make a wreath or crown for Mary and add it to your prayer space. 
• Engage students in offering this prayer service honoring Mary, from Catholic Resources. 
• For more activities for all grade levels, see these additional free resources from RCL Benziger, Mary, Our Lady.

About the Author

Dr. Lauri Przybysz specializes in equipping families to live their vocation to be domestic churches and signs of God’s love. Lauri received the Doctor of Ministry from the Catholic University of America, and she has been both a Catholic middle school religion teacher and a faith formation coordinator at the archdiocesan and parish levels. She is the mother of six children and grandmother of 21.