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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. It is through them that children are brought “to light”—both physically and spiritually—toward the Eucharist. In that sacred moment, 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 in ways that words cannot always capture. Art becomes a prayer. A silent 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 presence among us.

The Walk to Mary was yet another expression of this unity. Walking together, praying the Rosary, moving as one body of faith—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 is instilled in us through our faith. Mary leads us in such humble ways: through prayer, through music, through art, through the Mass, through the Eucharist. All of it points to God.

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.

In all of this, I am reminded that May is not only a month dedicated to Mary—it is an invitation. An invitation to walk with her, to create with her, to pray with her, and ultimately, to let her lead us to God.

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.”