Our Mother promises us today, in that beautiful first reading: “Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame, whoever serves me ...

GENAZZANO, Italy (AP) — The month of May is dedicated to Marian celebrations, so here’s a look at the history and traditions about Mary and why praying to her means so much to so many.

Francis will be the first pope in more than 350 years to be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. (The last one was Clement IX .) For 16 centuries, this basilica has stood sentinel.

St. Mary Major is the oldest still-standing sanctuary dedicated to that, said Giuseppa Falanga, professor of liturgy at Pontificia Universita della Santa Croce in Rome.

Two mothers who went to morning Mass on a recent weekday at the Genazzano chapel — where the Mary icon stands — said they pray their children, ranging in age from 18 to 24, will keep the faith.