As the Catholic Church enters May—traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary— Francis Cardinal Leo of Toronto encourages the faithful to deepen their devotion to the Mother of God, embracing her as a model of hope, faith, and discipleship.
Newsroom (01/05/2025 14:40, Gaudium Press) In a pastoral message, Francis Cardinal Leo of the Archdiocese of Toronto reflected on Mary’s dual role as both the Mother of God and the spiritual mother of all believers, rooted in Scripture. When we call Mary ‘Our Mother,’ we acknowledge her divine motherhood at the Incarnation and her gift to us from Christ on the Cross, he wrote, referencing Luke 1:28-36 and John 19:25-27.
The archbishop emphasized the simplicity and depth of Marian devotion, urging Catholics to renew their consecration to her Immaculate Heart. While many consecrated themselves on the Solemnity of the Annunciation (25 March), following Pope Francis’ universal call, additional opportunities are available on key Marian feast days, including Our Lady of Fatima (13 May), Mary, Help of Christians (24 May), and the Visitation (31 May).
Highlighting Mary as the “Stella Maris” (Star of the Sea), the archbishop described her as a beacon of hope amid life’s challenges. Quoting Pope Francis’ encyclical ‘Spes non Confundit‘, he noted that Mary “shows forth the victory of hope over anguish” and guides the faithful toward Christ, the “harbour of salvation.”
He added that , when we speak about Mary the superlative is always used because she is the example par excellence. “She shows forth the victory of hope over anguish, of fellowship over solitude, of peace over anxiety, of joy and beauty over boredom and disgust, of eternal visions over earthly ones, of life over death” (Marialis Cultus, 57). Being Pilgrims of Hope, the cardinal stressed that “we root ourselves in Jesus Christ and seek Mary’s intercession”.
To mark the month, the archdiocese will host A Day with Mary on 31 May at Villanova College in King City—a family-friendly event featuring Mass, prayer, and activities. The Cardinal himself will preside and has invited all faithful to join in communal celebration.
The archbishop also challenged Catholics to embody Mary’s virtues in daily life: her unwavering hope, selfless love, and steadfast faith. “How do we emulate her example in our families, workplaces, and communities?” he asked, calling her the ultimate model of Christian discipleship.
Concluding with a blessing, he encouraged the faithful to spend May deepening their relationship with Mary through prayer, study, and participation in parish and archdiocesan events.
“Mary is our life, our sweetness, and our hope,” he wrote. “Let us turn to her with renewed devotion this month.”
– Raju Hasmukh with files from Archdiocese of Toronto
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