My life changed for the better when I began praying the Rosary daily. This began as the result of sensing an extremely bright light (which I attributed to the Blessed Virgin Mary’s presence) while my eyes were closed in meditation during an exercise class. I felt very loved, safe and began to cry. I knew interiorly it was Mary reaching out to me, even though I did not see her. After a year of praying the Rosary, I felt drawn to visit outdoor shrines in my home state of Connecticut, as well as the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA. Each time I said “yes” to inspirations to be near her, I felt a longing to actually see her, and to consecrate my life to her.
On December 23, 2024, while speaking with a friend on the telephone, my prayer was answered. I saw a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary standing on a raised pedestal, which appeared on the wall across the room near the windows. She was surrounded by hundreds of people in old-fashioned dress who appeared to be saints. The Blessed Virgin Mary was in profile and robed in a deep blue mantle. This was a very brief image, sort of a screenshot effect with no audible message.
Small miracles have been occurring ever since. For example, I recently needed $500 to pay for a household expense. I decided to sell a farm gate, and the couple who bought it chose to make a donation to the farm. You guessed it. They donated exactly $500 just in time.
“Did that just happen?’ I asked myself. It most certainly did! Perhaps you, too, have had “more than coincidence” experiences after praying to Blessed Virgin Mary. As my devotion deepens, I make special efforts to thank her on her feast days by honoring her with roses, lilacs and lilies of the valley from my home gardens. I make flower arrangements for my dining room and display a statue of her prominently there.
Celebrating with Mary in late summer
August and September, with lush gardens blooming, are especially fitting months to strengthen your connection to Blessed Virgin Mary through flowers and other offerings. The Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary falls on August 15, 2026 and on that day, your intentions are especially blessed with her grace. I believe our Lord adores his mother and is especially receptive to her intercession on our behalf on this feast and her birthday, celebrated on September 8, 2026. Here are a few ways you might honor her:
⦁ Read about the Marian Feast days and spend time in quiet prayer.
⦁ Add white flowers such as roses, lilies, or lilacs to an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary at home, donate flowers to the decorating committee at Church, or make a miniature “Mary Garden” indoors or outside.
RELATED: Planting a Mary Garden: 15 Flowers That Honor the Blessed Virgin
⦁ Visit a Marian shrine (a place of deep devotion to Blessed Virgin Mary built to mark an apparition, a miracle or some historical event,) and I’m sure you will encounter the peace of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Visit Catholic Travel USA for locations by state.
⦁ Pray the Memorare Novena (Say the Memorare prayer 9 times in a row in emergencies), an “urgent” prayer novena popularized by St. Teresa of Calcutta:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
⦁ Bake a “Mary, Queen of Heaven” cake for the Queenship of Mary on August 22, 2026.
⦁ Check with your local parish for special celebrations of her upcoming Feast days.
⦁ Decorate a chair at the table with a ribbon, bow or wreath, acknowledging her presence.
⦁ Donate to someone in need (anonymously.)
RELATED: Marian Consecration: The What, Why and How
As your connection deepens, you may be drawn to consecration to Blessed Virgin Mary. The word consecration is defined as the “act of officially dedicating a person, place or object as sacred and holy for divine use.” Book options for a do-it-yourself consecration retreat include:
“33 Days to Morning Glory,” published by Marian Press, Stockbridge, MA by Father Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, or Louis-Marie de Montfort’s book “True Devotion to Mary,” which also offers a 33 day period of spiritual preparation.
May you enjoy the blessings of a deepened or renewed connection to Blessed Virgin Mary with flowers, food and celebration, as the Holy Spirit leads you to a vow of unshakeable faith through consecration. You are loved.
