Mary, Our Model of Faith

May is traditionally a month Catholics set aside to honor Our Lady. She is our Heavenly Mother and she loves to hear from us. How can we foster our devotion to Mary as youth ministers? Why is it important? Here are just a few tips to help you grow closer as a youth minister to Our Lady.

Read her Words in Scripture.

As Jesus’ Mother and Our Mother, she gives us some wonderful words of wisdom in Scripture. She tells us to “Do whatever He tells you.” (cf. John 2:5) She points us to Jesus. That is her job and what she does best. Read what she tells us in Scripture and listen to what she says.

Remember that Mary shows us it is not about us!

Oftentimes, as youth ministers, we can become so busy and caught up with the next talk at youth night that we forget one essential truth: It is not about us! It is about Jesus. Listen to her words when the angel Gabriel comes to her: “May it be done unto me according to your Word.” (Luke 1:38) It is about doing God’s will and letting Him have control, not ourselves.

Talk to her and ask her to intercede for you.

Whatever Marian devotion you like to practice, do it! Pray the words of her Magnificat in Luke 1:46-55. Pray the Rosary or the Angelus prayer. Simply pray a Hail Mary to say Hi to her. She is there for us to intercede for us. All we have to do is pray. It is also important to remember the teens, parents, and core team when we ask for her intercession.

Take the time to grow closer to Our Lady as we approach the end of another youth ministry year. You won’t regret it! Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us!

Melissa Hagen

Melissa Hagen holds a Master’s Degree in Theology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. She has served in religious education and youth ministry for over ten years at both the middle school and high school levels.
A convert to Catholicism as a young adolescent from a Baptist and Methodist background, Ms. Hagen has always enjoyed passing on the riches of the Catholic faith with young people. She is currently very active preparing teens for the Sacrament of Confirmation as a member of her Church’s Confirmation Core Team. When she is not busy serving teens, she enjoys watching movies and spending time with her awesome family!