"For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance. Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come!" Song of Songs 2:11-13

In many places, May is a time when the earth seems to burst forth in fruitfulness after a long winter. Softened by rain and nurtured by the warmth of the sun, new life springs up visibly in the green of fresh leaves and bright variety of flowers.

It is the nature of growing things to grow and in order to grow, they must start small. A dormant rose may appear to be no more than a thorny stick but when cared for, it can burst forth and spread glorious blooms. The great oak tree that provides shade and shelter began as a little sprout poking out of the ground; it needed water, sunlight, nutrients, and time to mature and reach its potential.

We, too, are growing beings. This is true on various levels, most obviously physically but also spiritually. Who is it that assists us in this process of growing? How did God design us to receive the nurturing love and care that enables us to thrive? There may be many answers but one in particular stands out, God's gift of the mother.

When the whole earth is glorying in the fruitfulness that God bestows, it is a fitting time to honor mothers, especially the Mother whom He chose among all other women to bring forth Christ into the world. At the foot of the cross, Mary became the Mother of the Church, the Mediatrix of Grace, and our Mother. It is through her that God chooses to bestow the life-giving rain of His grace and the warmth of His love. As Our Lady loved and nurtured the Christ-child, so she longs to aid us in our journey towards God. We call Mary the "Queen of the May" as a loving tribute to the one whose gentle hidden hands assist our growth in holiness and guide us so that we may burst forth with the fruitfulness of God's grace. Throughout this month, each of the Sisters are given an opportunity to honor Mary with a crown of flowers, returning with gratitude a symbol of the fruitfulness she fosters in our souls.