Honoring Mary in May
As most of you know, May is dedicated to honoring Mary. Here are some of my ideas how to celebrate and honor her earthly and heavenly life. Most of these crafts are for ages 3-12. But there are a few links for us moms as well.
My popular blog: Mary's Little Crowns Class includes printables to make a paper Mary Statue, Mother Thrice Admirable rosary to color, Offering Basket, and Marian Princess Crowns. It comes complete with a script and prayer card to print and use for a class, as I had.
MARY GARDENS:
Read about gardening, especially Mary Gardens at this link. In our garden, Mary is surrounded by these perennials and more. A picture to come next spring/summer when it is in full bloom.
"Snow Angel" Coral Bells,
Pansies or "Our Lady's Delight,"
"Mary's Mantle" [Alchemilla vulgaris]
Bleeding Hearts or "Sacred Heart of Mary."
There is a website about Mary Gardens called: Mary Garden of Virginal Consecration, complete with poems and drawings that I think would be a great children's project. It is very through and perfect if you want specific names of plants and their Marian association.
ROSARIES:
You can also read my: Joyful Mysteries for Homeschoolers As well as my blog about Illuminating Mysteries. Moms might print out the Novena to Mary the Mother of God.
Supplies include: 2 Pipe Cleaners, 6 Main beads (red hearts), 53 plastic beads, and optional crucifix and Mary charms/rosary parts.
First cut 3.5 inches off 1 pipe cleaner. Trim ends as shown below.
Twist two longer pieces together to form one long "thread."
Twist ends onto Mary charm or other bead if desired.
Then add beads: 10 Hail Mary, 1 Mystery/heart, and repeat for 50 Hail Marys and 4 Mystery Beads.
Add to the short thread a heart, 3 beads, a heart, then the Cross/Crucifix. Or if you want, you can make a chaplet version.
Devotionals:
Click here for a reflection I once wrote about "Where's Mary?"
The 7 Dolors (Sorrows) of Mary by CatholicTradition.org is a great resource.
Find more Marian Ideas at Catholic Icing's linkup and her Crowning Mary link.
MARIAN CRAFTS:
This year we made the Marian Grotto's from Illuminated Ink. [We bought ours at a local store, but the company also sells a 10 pack for a great price online.] We gave one to each grandmother from the children. Not only was it enjoyable to make, but the kids loved making something so beautiful for someone special in their life. The kit includes a great booklet about the history of grottos and Our Lady of … that you chose to make.
MARY GARDENS:
Read about gardening, especially Mary Gardens at this link. In our garden, Mary is surrounded by these perennials and more. A picture to come next spring/summer when it is in full bloom.
"Snow Angel" Coral Bells,
Pansies or "Our Lady's Delight,"
"Mary's Mantle" [Alchemilla vulgaris]
Bleeding Hearts or "Sacred Heart of Mary."
There is a website about Mary Gardens called: Mary Garden of Virginal Consecration, complete with poems and drawings that I think would be a great children's project. It is very through and perfect if you want specific names of plants and their Marian association.
ROSARIES:
You can also read my: Joyful Mysteries for Homeschoolers As well as my blog about Illuminating Mysteries. Moms might print out the Novena to Mary the Mother of God.
Artist Unknown
We made "easy to thread" rosaries this week, and here are the directions (inspired by Catholic Icing's simplified preschool version "R is for Rosary.")
Supplies include: 2 Pipe Cleaners, 6 Main beads (red hearts), 53 plastic beads, and optional crucifix and Mary charms/rosary parts.
First cut 3.5 inches off 1 pipe cleaner. Trim ends as shown below.
Twist two longer pieces together to form one long "thread."
Twist ends onto Mary charm or other bead if desired.
Then add beads: 10 Hail Mary, 1 Mystery/heart, and repeat for 50 Hail Marys and 4 Mystery Beads.
Add to the short thread a heart, 3 beads, a heart, then the Cross/Crucifix. Or if you want, you can make a chaplet version.
Devotionals:
Click here for a reflection I once wrote about "Where's Mary?"
The 7 Dolors (Sorrows) of Mary by CatholicTradition.org is a great resource.
Find more Marian Ideas at Catholic Icing's linkup and her Crowning Mary link.
