Anna G. had the honor of crowning Mary. Her attendants were Cora C. and Candace S. The processional included students from each grade level carrying in flowers. The choir and congregation sang “Bring Flowers of the Rarest.” The 8th grade gathered for a group graduation photo after Mass.
What is May Crowning?
May Crowning is a traditional Roman Catholic ritual held during the month of May. It is a solemn procession at the close of the procession a statue of the Blessed Virgin is crowned with a garland or crown of flowers honoring Mary as “the Queen of May.” There is a special honor attached to being chosen to crown the statue.
Why a Crowning?
The queen symbol was attributed to Mary because she was a perfect follower of Christ, who is the absolute “crown” of creation. She is the Mother of the Son of God, who is the messianic King. Mary is the Mother of Christ.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High;
the Lord will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there will be no endLuke 1:32-33
Elizabeth greeted the Blessed Virgin, pregnant with Jesus, as “the mother of my Lord” (Lk 1:41-43). The maid of Nazareth consented to God’s plan; she journ
eyed on the pilgrimage of faith; she listened to God’s Word and kept it in her heart; she remained steadfastly in close union with her Son, all the way to the foot of the Cross; she persevered in prayer with the Church. Thus, in a way she won the “crown of righteousness” (II Tim 4:8), the “crown of life” (Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10), the “crown of glory” (I Pet 5:4) that is promised to those who follow Christ.
Flowers Named after Mary
The faithful saw Mary’s attributes in the herbs and flowers growing around them. Many flowers and herbs are symbolically associated with Mary’s life. Learn more about the Marian symbols of various flowers.
Marian Hymns
Who doesn’t love to sing a song to Mary. There are many Marian hymns that can be sung at a May Crowning include Hail Holy Queen, Immaculate Mary (Ave Maria), or Hail Mary (Gentle Woman).
Pray the Rosary
Apostleship of Prayer receives monthly prayer intentions from the Pope and urges Christians throughout the world to unite in prayer for those intentions. In the words of Pope Francis, Mary is “the true and sublime example of woman.”
In May 2016, Pope Francis ask is to pray for the universal intention of respect for women. That in every country of the world, women may be honored and respected and that their essential contribution to society may be highly esteemed and that that families, communities, and groups may pray the Holy Rosary for evangelization and peace.
Listen to the Pope’s intention for May 2016, then read the Pope’s reflection about the intention.
