The Hermitage Newsletter: May '26 Issue

Greetings from The Hermitage!

May, the month of Mary and the blessings of Autumn

Mary does not let us remain fallen and at times she takes us into her arms without judging us. Our converse with her consoles, frees and sanctifies us.

Pope Francis. Gaudete Et Exultate #176

In the Catholic tradition, the month of May is a time dedicated to Mary. This tradition goes back to the 13th century and has more of a northern hemisphere focus as it has some alignment with the northern hemisphere seasons – the new life bursting through Spring and into Summer. However, that has never stopped us here in Australia from celebrating this universal observance. In fact, there has been, and in some cases still is, a strong devotion to Mary for many Catholics in this country which goes back to the early days of the colony. With very few priests to minister to the flock, lay people helped to keep their faith alive by gathering to pray the Rosary, thus developing a deep devotion to Mary. This practice continued for a long time – I remember as a kid myself in the 1970s being involved in ‘home rosaries’ as parishioners gathered in one another’s homes each week during May to pray the Rosary.

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May Hermitage Newsletter 2026