To reach out to parishioners and get them focusing on the Mary, the Mother of God, during her holy month, the Diocese of Phoenix asked the faithful how they plan to honor the Blessed Virgin.

“May is the month of Mary! How are you going to honor our Blessed Mother throughout May? Ora pro nobis,” the diocese posted on Facebook. 

Mary has long been honored for the steadfast belief that allowed her to do God’s bidding, though it put her at risk of being stoned. The idea of setting aside a whole month for the faithful to reflect on her dates to the late 1200s and became more popular during the 1700s, Catholic Culture explains. 

Many popes have placed a special emphasis on honoring Mary throughout May. St. Pope John Paul II, for example, in May 2002 said: "Today we begin the month dedicated to Our Lady a favorite of popular devotion. In accord with a long-standing tradition of devotion, parishes and families continue to make the month of May a 'Marian' month, celebrating it with many devout liturgical, catechetical and pastoral initiatives!” 

Mary holds a unique spot in Catholicism. As a human, she is one who is in need of being saved by God, but as the earthly Mother of God, she received the gift of God's grace to an extent that is above that of all others, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) explains. Mary's willingness to follow God's plan means she holds a crucial role in the notion of salvation. Catholics describe Mary as a role model of discipleship and often ask for her intercession. 

Her importance in the Church’s history is such that Mary is honored on multiple feast days throughout the year, the Marians say. May includes two feast days for her, the Catholic Feast of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, and the Visitation on May 31. Other feast days throughout the year include the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrated on Jan. 1; the Annunciation on March 25; Mary's Assumption into Heaven on Aug. 15; and the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8.