Reclaiming Your Salvation: Return to Mary

Imagine if there was a Marian Procession through the streets of every city and town across the world during the month of May. Our Lady, in all of her glory, being brought out into the streets of her children to call them back home to the Catholic Church. 

In the eighteenth century when Rome honored pagan goddesses during the month of May, it was a Catholic priest who called on the intercession of the Blessed Mother and dedicated the month to her. Father Latomia, S.J. wanted to stand against the infidelity and immorality that many of Rome’s college students were adhering to. Pope Pius XII declared that May would be honored as the month of Mary, after declaring that the feast of the Queenship of Mary would be observed on May 31st. 

Fr. Latomia was seeing the infidelity and immorality of the people then, and we can all clearly see such infiltration today. Pagan idols and false gods may very well be receiving much more “worship” today than ever before. Many submit themselves to false truths, false religions, and false gods - all of whom will not grant Eternal Salvation. St. Thomas Aquinas explains in the Summa, “There is no entering into salvation outside the Church, just as in the time of the deluge there was none outside the ark, which denotes the Church.” 

In this time of turning to falsehoods, who should we turn to? Ultimately, we should turn to Christ. In this month of Mary, we should go ad Jesum per Mariam (to Jesus through Mary). In fact, we should constantly be turning to Jesus through and with Mary. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the sure sign of salvation. As Mary herself ushered in salvation, we too can turn to her to be led to salvation and a deeper union with Christ. 

The Blessed Mother sits on her throne in the Kingdom calling her children to come to Christ and His Catholic Church. The Blessed Mother crushes the head of the serpent who is the father of secularism, of lies, and the source of damnation. St. John Damascene prayed, “Devotion to you, O Blessed Virgin, is a means of salvation which God gives to those whom he wishes to save.” 

In this time of secularism, there are two things we must do to reclaim May as the month of Mary, but also to invite the Blessed Mother into our own lives. First, we must turn away from the secular culture and run to Mary. We must be devoted servants of Jesus and Mary! Again, Mary is the source of salvation. Saint Anselm said, ”It is impossible to save one's soul without devotion to Mary and without her protection.” Pick up the Rosary and pray it! Consecrate yourself and family to the Blessed Mother. 

Secondly, we must bring Our Lady to the streets of the world. We must be willing to publicly pray the Holy Rosary. Invite your pastor to process the streets of your city with an image of the Blessed Virgin. Allow Mary to be the bright star in the streets that draws the Children of God back to His Church. St. Thomas Aquinas said, “As mariners are guided into port by the shining of a star, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary.” 

Reclaim your salvation and claim Mary as your Blessed Mother! 

"So your strength is failing you? Why don't you tell your mother about it? . . . Mother! Call her with a loud voice. She is listening to you; she sees you in danger, perhaps, and she—your holy mother Mary—offers you, along with the grace of her son, the refuge of her arms, the tenderness of her embrace . . . and you will find yourself with added strength for the new battle."
--St. Josemaria Escriva​