What has happened to May Altars?

May Altar - Mother at Home

"The Queen stood on Thy right hand in gilded clothing, surrounded with variety." Psalm 44:1.

Some years ago I gave a mission in a parish where this beautiful custom prevailed: Whenever a member of the Young Ladies' Sodality was to say "I do," she received from her sister sodalists a beautiful 18-inch statue of our Blessed Mother. During the wedding Mass it rested on Mary's altar, was blessed and presented to the beaming bride. What happened to those statues? In fancy I went to the homes of those sodalist wives to find out.

Let me tell you what I saw. One bride made the most of her image of Mary. She enshrined it in a place of honor, made it the companion, model, and inspiration of her life. Mary's shrine was the spiritual fire-place of her home. Housework, recreation and family problems were presented to her. When you entered this modern Nazareth you saw not only the statue, but you felt the spirit of Mary shining in the lives of that young couple.

Another bride had accepted her statue with the usual smiles and thanks, and had proudly showed it among her wedding gifts. She placed Mary's image on a dark closet shelf with the half-hearted intention of someday putting Our Lady in a place of prominence. That day never came. Meanwhile the bride forgot, forgot what she had heard and resolved about making Mary the model of her marriage, forgot that this heavenly Mother can and does help earthly mothers, forgot that the very virtues needed most in a home are qualities which the Blessed Virgin shows forth and helps us develop. Which of these two was the happier home? Which was the more blessed?

By the same standard - which is the happier home - the one where a May altar is kept, or the house that never shows special devotion to Mary? The age-old, loving, and expressive practice of putting our Blessed Mother in a place of prominence is one every family should adopt, especially as we approach her month of May. What blessings it brings to those under that roof! What encouragement and inspiration! What true understanding and depthless love it enkindles!

A May altar need not be elaborate or expensive. Naturally, the more impressive, the better. Not even a statue is necessary. I have seen a holy card 2~ by 3 inches doing service as the center of this monfh's family devotion. Fresh or imitation flowers might be placed before and around it. A vigil light or candle helps to center attention. I have even seen a childish fistful of dandelions stuffed into a cheese glass, and offered as a tribute to the Mother of us all. Who would say that Mother was not pleased?

We find May altars everywhere. Your parish church comes first. In smaller congregations some of you might offer your services and your means to keep flowers and candles before the shrine of Mary. Your pastor and your parish will be pleased to have someone perform this sweet service.

I have seen May altars in classrooms and hallways, in hospital rooms and corridors, in old folks' homes and orphanages, in work-shops, boilerrooms and offices. I have seen them in the laundries of sisters' convents where the soapy steam from wash tubs billows like clouds about our Blessed Mother.

Most fittingly I have seen these bowers for the Blessed One in tiny apartments and trailer homes. I have seen them nailed to the corner of the children's play pen. I have even seen our Blessed Mother enshrined behind the bars of a city jail. You will find her everywhere; yet, you will not find her everywhere.

You will find her statue or picture in almost every type of place, but there are all too many spots where she should be and you find her not. I hope your home is not Mary-less.

Yes, there is sweetness and idealism and even a sort of sentimentality associated with such tribute to Mary, but it stands the wear and tear of rough and rugged daily life. It helps you live that life more fully.

Make your May altar the center of your home. A short, fervent family prayer offered beneath her smile will bring down blessings on parents and children. Night prayer takes on more interest when said before her statue. Vary those prayers. Give them the spice of variety. The Psalmist sang that the Queen is surrounded with variety. That may be a variety of decorations or flowers or prayers or devotions.

And why not an occasional song? If the family can remember only one verse of the many beautiful songs to her, then sing that one verse two or three times. Song welds hearts. Song cheers home. Song lightens the load. And song pleases Mary.

Mary in your home will help in your work and give an edge to your play. Find a better housewife than the one who cleans and cooks with the thought of the perfect housewife in mind. Find better children than those whose roof covers a resemblance of our Redeemer's Mother.

Play forms a large part of family life. Offer your pastime to her; ask her approval. Nod to her statue as you go out, and you will more likely stay away from things that embarrass her. Breathe a Hail Mary standing or kneeling before you leave, and you will enjoy the evening in a way she will approve. Be at home with your Mother. Have Mother home with you. Enshrine her there.

But the best of all May altars is built in your heart. There raise a soul shrine to Mary. Here is her month. Here is her picture. Here is her statue. Here are her flowers. Here are her lights. Here are her prayers. Here are her songs. Here is her heart. Here is her life. Now go ahead and make of them your May altar. Amen.
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Adapted from Occasional Talks
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (©1949)