Virgen de la Luz
The statue of Our Lady of the Light in Barcelona, Spain. The statue derives its name from the flame Jesus holds in his hands.
Star
Mary, known as the star of the sea, thanks to your Son you shine forth with a clear, godly light which falls on all creatures.
- Ave rosa sine spinis
Maria SS. della Cava
An image of the Madonna of the Cave in Pietraperzia, Sicily.
The text at the top of the shrine reads: ‘In every need run to Most Holy Mary of the Cave’. At the bottom it says: ‘Principal Patron of Pietraperzia. Miraculously discovered in 1223 by a sleepwalking mute, who received his speech’.
Kindness
Her kindness will see you through to the end. Then you will know by your own experience how true it is that the Virgin’s name was Mary.
- St Bernard of Clairvaux
A miniature of Our Lady of Montserrat, who is venerated in a famous Marian shrine near Barcelona.
Three heart shaped Miraculous Medals: O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Sedes Sapientiae
A late 19th century Belgian image of Mary as the Seat of Wisdom.
Nuestra Señora del Quinche
The miraculous statue of Our Lady of the Presentation of Quinche, the patroness of Ecuador.
The wooden sculpture was carved in the 16th century, and has been venerated in Quinche since at least 1604. The devotion has always been popular with Ecuador’s Indian population. They affectionately refer to Our Lady of Quinche as ‘la Pequeñita’ (the Little One).
Madonna di Tirano
A shrine depicting the apparition of Mary in Tirano, Italy.
According to tradition, Mary appeared to a man called Mario Omodei in the early hours of the morning on 29 September 1504. She promised an end to the plague if a shrine would be built in her honour on the site of her apparition. The man made a vow to Mary to build a shrine and the plague soon ended.
A street shrine for Mary in the Dutch province of Limburg.
The text on the shrine reads: Whoever you may be who passes here, show that you honour God’s Mother.
Do you practise any special devotions for Mary in May?
Heart
Are you suffering a great deal? Don’t lose heart. I will never forsake you.
- Mary in Fatima, 1917
