A Marian event the Diocese of Calgary held May 16 is becoming an annual serenade to Our Blessed Mother. 

A serenade is usually performed for a loved one—intimate, and reserved for a special occasion. Very often, the organizer is not even a musician, but so wholehearted in their devotion that they believe only the language of music can properly express a love deeper than words.

It is rumoured that St. Augustine once said, “He who sings, prays twice.” Whether or not the phrase is rightly attributed to the saint is less important than the transformative power music holds. As part of the Mass—whether used to express jubilation or mourning—music undeniably adds a deeper dimension of praise and devotion to prayer.

Last year, A Serenade to Mary was organized to celebrate the Month of Mary—with great success. Choirs from various parishes across the city participated, showcasing not only the strong connections we share within the broader Catholic community in Calgary, but also the beautiful diversity of our faith, enriched by many cultures, languages, and traditions. We were especially grateful for their continued presence well into the evening. Their time, effort, and willingness to travel to our parish spoke volumes—not only of their generosity and dedication, but also of the deep sense of unity we share as a spiritual family coming together to honour our Mother Thrice Admirable. It was a powerful reminder that when we unite our voices, languages, and musical talents, we create something truly extraordinary for our congregation.

​Our purpose with this event was to honour our Blessed Mother under the title Queen of Peace. This name, rooted in her divine connection to Christ, reflects her role in bringing peace to the world—just as her Son, the Prince of Peace, does. An old statue beautifully captures this image: Mary holding an olive branch in one hand and the Christ Child in the other. When Pope Benedict XV added the title to the Litany of Loreto in 1917, he wasn’t introducing something new, but rather affirming Mary’s long-standing legacy as a source of joy, stability, and peace. In a world constantly shifting, he offered us a renewed reminder of her gentle and steadfast presence.

During the serenade, we are invited to look beyond our own lives and the temporal world, and to reflect on the universality of God’s family and the vital role Mary’s motherhood continues to play in our salvation.

Many of us did not sing the night of the serenade. We did not clap after every piece—we demonstrated our gratitude in other ways, as it was not a concert. Yet even those who didn’t participate as one might in a musical event were elevated. In love and community, all of us “prayed twice.”​

Following the success of last year’s event, we saw an opportunity to establish A Serenade to Mary as a tradition—one that could grow in visibility and invite even more members of our community to take part, especially in this Jubilee Year. In the power of the Risen Lord, Mary continues to labour with love to bring forth a new world: one where we recognize each other as brothers and sisters, where every person has a place—especially those cast aside by society—and where justice and peace shine brightly.