Seven Ways to Help Spread Devotion to Mary

Below are seven ways you can grow closer to Mary, and help to spread devotion to Her:

1. Start by praying the Rosary.  The Rosary is a powerful prayer that has been handed down through the centuries as a way to ask for Mary's intercession.  The devotion was given to St. Dominic by Mary in 1214.  You can read about it here: http://www.opne.org/rosary.htm.  Also, here is an instruction sheet on how to say it: http://www.newadvent.org/images/rosary.pdf

2.  Wear the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  It was given by Our Lady to St. Simon Stock in 1251.  You can read about it here: http://www.sistersofcarmel.com/brown-scapular-information.php

Any priest can enroll you in the Brown Scapular.  Search for the enrollment prayers online, print them off, and buy a Brown Scapular which will be blessed during the enrollment. 

3. Buy an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and place it in your home or apartment. 

4. Read a book about Mary.  There are many good books out there about the Blessed Virgin.  One of my favorites is called "The Glories of Mary", by St. Alphonsus Liguori.  A popular book about consecration to Mary is called "33 Days to Morning Glory."  In this book you can learn about devotion to Mary based on the life of St. Louis De Montfort, St. Maximillian Colbe, Bl. John Paul II, and Bl. Mother Teresa, while preparing to consecrate yourself to Mary.

5. Pray for an increase in devotion to Mary.  Devotion to Mary leads to devotion to Jesus.  She will lead this world to Her Son Jesus!

6. Strive to take on the virtues of the Blessed Virgin.  Good children strive to practice the virtues they learn from their parents.  By practicing Mary's virtues we can help this world to see how She pours out God's grace upon Her children.

7. Lastly, when you have an opportunity to speak about Mary, go for it.  It may be that someone is suffering and needs prayers.  At those times you could mention Our Lady and say that you will ask Her to help, and reassure the suffering person of Mary's intercession.  People want to be reminded of Mary's motherly qualities, and they want to hear about how She loves them. 

Mary Mother of our Creator, Pray for us to Your Son Jesus!