Father Lovasik has so many golden nuggets in this piece! If we were to follow the Golden Rule “Do Unto Others As We Would Have Them Do Unto Us,” we would have the basic principles of a happy family life!
“Kind deeds are a source of happiness in the family. Little acts of kindness and little courtesies are the things that, added up at night, constitute a happy day. The best part of your life is spent in the little nameless acts of kindness and love you have performed in your home. Faithful, self-forgetting service – love that spends itself – is the secret of family happiness…”
A sweet little nugget for May…You probably have heard of the MayPole. Here is a little history…
From Wikipedia…
In Germany and Austria the maypole is a tradition going back to the 16th century. It is a decorated tree or tree trunk that is usually erected either on 1 May – in Baden and Swabia – or on the evening before, for example, in East Frisia. In most areas, it is usual to have a ceremony to erect the maypole on the village green. The custom of combining it with a village or town fete, that usually takes place on 30 April 1 May or at Pentecost (Whitsun), is widespread. Up with the help of long poles, today it may sometime also be done using tractors, forklifts or even cranes. In Lower Austria ropes and ladders are used.
In the Rhineland in and around Cologne, there exists a somewhat different maypole tradition. During the night before 1 May, unmarried men erect young birch trees in front of the houses of their sweethearts. These trees, which may reach five metres of height or more, are sold beforehand by local foresters. The men usually decorate them with multicoloured crepe paper and often with a red heart of wood with the name of the girl written on it. During the month of May, many house front gardens have such maypoles.
If the tree is erected on the eve of 1 May, then the event is usually followed by a May dance or Tanz in den Mai. Depending on local custom, the Maibaum may remain in place all year round or may be taken down at the end of May. The trunk may then be stored until the following year.
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Here is a lovely post at Shower of Roses on how to do the Maypole at home using a large outdoor umbrella stand.
Photo Credit: Shower of Roses, posted with permission
“Even though the symbolism of the maypole has been continuously debated for centuries, and no set conclusion has ever been arrived at, Stasia explained to all the girls that she likes to think that all the individual ribbons represent the many different aspects and doctrines of our Catholic Faith, and when weaved together they create something complete and beautiful!” ~Shower of Roses
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One could also either have a procession afterwards or a Tea Party! All in honor of Our Lady for May! The crepe streamers that you use for the Maypole can be different shades of blue and white!
What a beautiful way to celebrate May in honor of Our Lady!
A midsummer pole at harbour in Bromarv, Finland
Brentwood, Los Angeles
Maypole at Llanfyllin, Wales on 1 May 1941
Maypole in San Diego
Take time to smell the roses in this wonderful month of May, the month of Mary! Take a walk with your children, garden together, pick a bouquet, look at the stars…. Another spring is upon us, a time to enjoy God’s creation as it unfolds its beauty all around us!
Our Lady, Cause of our Joy, pray for us!
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That is neat about the may pole… Lovely post, thank you!