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May Is the Month of Mary: Our Mother, Mother of God

The first weekend of May felt like a quiet invitation—one that unfolded through prayer, art, and community. In these days marked by the Walk to Mary, the Marian Art Exhibition, and First Holy Communion celebrations, at my parish, I found myself reflecting deeply on how Our Blessed Mother gently leads us closer to God in so many beautiful and tangible ways. Each of these experiences revealed something unique, yet all were united by the same grace: a path to prayer, to reverence, and to a deeper understanding of our Catholic faith.

At the First Holy Communion Mass, I was especially moved by the role of mothers in the life of faith. It is through mothers that children are first “brought to light” and, so often, first taught to know, love, and seek God. They help lead their children toward the light of Christ and ultimately to the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith. In that sacred moment, I was reminded of the Blessed Virgin Mary…I saw how Mary, our Mother, works through earthly mothers to guide her children to her Son. There is something profoundly tender in that reality: that she is always leading, always nurturing, always drawing us toward God.

In the Marian Art Exhibition, I witnessed another form of devotion. Through the gifts God has given each artist, we express love for Our Lady through art, poetry, and writing—ways that at times go beyond what ordinary words can fully express. These expressions themselves become a kind of prayer: a quiet offering, a reflection of the beauty and mystery of faith. Each piece, in its own way, becomes a testimony of love, an echo of Mary’s gentle presence among us, always leading us to her Son.

As part of this journey, I painted Our Lady of Guadalupe. Throughout the process, I kept asking Mary to guide me—to show me when to begin, when to continue, and even when to stop. I wanted the work to be hers, not mine. What touched me most was what happened afterward. I am exhibiting the painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Marian Art Exhibition. Two women approached me—one in tears, the other with shining eyes as if tears were about to fall. With deep emotion, they shared that there was something about the painting that transmitted love, care, and compassion. Hearing that gave me goosebumps. Because what they saw is what I had hoped to convey, but more than that, it affirmed something deeper: that when we allow Mary to guide us and offer our God-given talents back to Him, something real can be communicated beyond ourselves.

The Walk to Mary was yet another expression of this communion of faith and love. Walking together, praying the Rosary, moving as one body in Christ—it felt like being part of a family. A family that journeys together, step by step, through our Mother, toward God. There is something powerful about shared prayer, about physically walking while spiritually lifting our hearts. It reminds us that we are not alone.

Throughout this weekend, I found myself in awe of the beauty, the reverence, and the love that our faith instills in us. Mary leads us in such humble ways: through prayer, through music, through art, through the Mass, and always toward the Eucharist. All of it points to God. In all of this, I am reminded that May is not only a month dedicated to Mary; it is also an invitation to walk with her, to pray with her, and ultimately, to let her lead us to her Son. And she always does!

Mariella

San Francisco, May 5, 2026

Our Lady of Guadalupe, by Mariella Zevallos. 16×20 Acrylic on Canvas. “No part of this artwork may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the artist.”