May Crowning (Catholic Caucus)

Fisheaters ^

[NYer]

 

As are all flowers, the month of May is dedicated to the Mary, whom we celebrate as Queen of Heaven on the last day of this month. Early in May, a statue of the Virgin at church is crowned with a wreath of roses, and the same are laid at her feet. Little girls and boys dress up in their best, often in blue; one child carries the crown on a cushion to the statue and another child is chosen to crown the statue. The selection process varies -- sometimes a boy is chosen to bear the wreath, but always a girl is chosen to crown the statue (usually the oldest girl).The flowers remain throughout the month. Hymns are sung, too, and especially favored is the Victorian "Bring Flowers of the Rarest," lyrics below. Click here to listen to the melody.

Bring flow'rs of the fairest, Bring flow'rs of the rarest, From garden and woodland And hillside and vale; Our full hearts are swelling, Our glad voices telling The praise of the loveliest Rose of the vale. Chorus: O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May, O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May. Our voices ascending, In harmony blending, Oh! Thus may our hearts turn Dear Mother, to thee; Oh! Thus shall we prove thee How truly we love thee, How dark without Mary Life's journey would be. (Chorus)

O Virgin most tender, Our homage we render, Thy love and protection, Sweet Mother, to win; In danger defend us, In sorrow befriend us, And shield our hearts From contagion and sin. (Chorus) Of Mothers the dearest, Oh, wilt thou be nearest, When life with temptation Is darkly replete? Forsake us, O never! Our hearts be they ever As Pure as the lilies We lay at thy feet. (Chorus)

 
Catholics honor Mary at home, too, crowning the true "May Queen's" statue with flowers at their family altars, and leaving roses (especially red and/or white) at her feet, for the entire month of May. If you don't have a statue of Our Lady, you can place flowers around a picture of her. ¹

And here is a beautiful astronomical coincidence for this time of year. If you go outside early in May, face East, and look directly up overhead, you will see a relatively faint "L" in the sky (assuming the sky is clear enough). This is the constellation Coma Berenices ² -- a constellation, whether mythically or not, that was named after a Queen (actually, a Queen's hair, but that's another story). Anyway, the second brightest star in this constellation is called "Diadem" -- crown of royalty. So take your children outside, point out the star Diadem to them, and think of Our Lady, crowned in Heaven -- our Queen Mother who wants nothing more than for us to love her Son...

 
Footnotes:
¹ Tip for keeping cut flowers fresh: re-cut stems, and put an aspirin, a penny, some sugar, and a 1/2 capful of bleach into their water. Change water every day and repeat the above. Keep them in a cool place -- in the fridge at night, if possible. Doing these things really will keep them fresh a lot longer!

² "Coma Berenices" is pronounced "Coe-mah Bair-eh-nee'-chayz."
 

[NYer]

FRHS Marian Devotion at the
Monsignor George Rohling Grotto in honor of The Blessed Virgin Mary

During the month of May, we honor Mary in a special way. From earliest times, Mary has been honored with the title of "Mother of God." Our devotion to her certainly differs from the adoration given to Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. As a matter of fact, our devotion fosters this adoration.


We are inspired by the example of Mary, the teenager who said yes to God, who agreed to bear God's own Son. She had no idea where this "yes" would lead, but she continued to do God's work and God's will, no matter how difficult it was. We believe that she was sinless.

Her closeness to God is marvelous for us to contemplate. Her courage and obedience help us have the courage we need as well, to say "yes" to God in our own lives.

We do not pray to Mary as we pray to God. Her holy life is an inspiration to us, a guide and model, an ideal for us to strive for. As we rely upon the help and prayers of those who have gone before us, we rely on the help and prayers of Mary as well.

[NYer]

I have posted this thread in honor of freeper Salvation who probably would have posted this, were she not recovering from surgery. Our prayers are with you, dear friend!

Our parish celebrated May Crowning last Sunday along with First Communion. What plans have taken shape in your respective parishes?

[Marysecretary]

Please keep us posted on Salvation’s progress. Thanks.

[NYer]

And ... from Zenit News Agency

ROME, MAY 6, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.

Q: In the back of "The Rites of the Catholic Church" there is an Order of Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary. My concern is regarding organizing a May crowning of the Blessed Mother. In the introduction to this rite (No. 8) it lists the bishop, or a priest entrusted by him, as the minister. Can this rite be used for crownings that are repeated yearly? Can this rite be used by a group of laypeople wishing to honor the Blessed Mother with a crown for May? Is there a separate rite (even a semiofficial one) for May crownings? -- M.S., Cleveland Ohio

A: Actually, we are speaking of two different things. The order of crowning found in the rites is that of placing a precious bejeweled gold or silver crown upon a particularly venerated image of Our Lady. This is obviously done only once or at least rarely.

If the image is found in a diocesan sanctuary, then it is performed by the bishop or his delegate, either another bishop or a priest such as the rector of the Marian sanctuary.

Some images of national or international renown are occasionally crowned in the name of the pope as a sign of special veneration. In this case the Holy Father issues a special decree giving directives regarding the mode of crowning.

The May crowning is an act of popular devotion in honor of our Blessed Mother that is repeated every year. As the name indicates, it is usually done during the month of May, but in some countries, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, it is performed in other months especially in November.

The custom of the May crowning fell out of favor in many places during the 1970s and '80s. Recently it has made a comeback along with Eucharistic adoration, the rosary, and many other traditional Catholic practices that serve to nurture the faith and devotion of the faithful.

There is a lot of flexibility regarding the rite, and it can be adapted to many different circumstances and situations depending on whether the crowning is done in a parish, a school or classroom, or even in the family.

If the statue of Mary to be crowned is not already in a fixed place, an image may be set up on some suitable support.

The area may already be decorated with flowers, but those participating in the crowning may also process to the image carrying flowers and singing appropriate Marian hymns before placing their bouquets at Mary's feet.

The rite may consist of hymns, prayers, and maybe an act of consecration to Our Lady.

The climax of the celebration is the moment when the one of those present places a crown of flowers on Mary's head accompanied by a traditional hymn to the Blessed Mother.

After the crowning, the person leading the event concludes with a suitable prayer. If he is a priest or deacon, he may impart a blessing.

Regarding the harmony that should reign between the demands of the liturgy and the celebration of May, the Holy See's Directory of Popular Piety says the following in No. 191:

"In many cases, the solution for such problems would seem to lie in harmonizing the content of the 'Marian months' with the concomitant season of the Liturgical Year. For example, since the month of May largely corresponds with the fifty days of Easter, the pious exercises practiced at this time could emphasize Our Lady's participation in the Paschal mystery (cf. John 19, 25-27), and the Pentecost event (cf. Acts 1, 14) with which the Church begins: Our Lady journeys with the Church having shared in the novum of the Resurrection, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The fifty days are also a time for the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation and of the mystagogy. The pious exercises connected with the month of May could easily highlight the earthly role played by the glorified Queen of Heaven, here and now, in the celebration of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist."

* * *

[Kolokotronis]

When I was little and in Catholic elementary school, the May crowning was a major big deal. Those of an age and with a shared Catholic School background from the pre Vatican II days may remember this one; I, somewhat to my surprise, still do:

“Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing;
You reign now in splendor with Jesus our King.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

In heaven, the blessed your glory proclaim;
On earth we, your children, invoke your sweet name.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!

We pray for the Church, our true Mother on earth,
And beg you to watch o’er the land of our birth.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria!”

[NYer]

Thank you, K, for posting one of the most beautiful hymns sung during the month of May, in honor of the Blessed Mother. We sang it last Sunday during May Crowning. Of course, the Maronites have to put a Middle Eastern twist on it so we replaced

Ave, ave, ave, Maria! Ave, ave, Maria

with

Salaam, salaam, lakeya Maryam. Salaam, salaam, lakeya Maryam

As for May crowning, the schools all held these ceremonies. In my HS, the girl chosen to crown Mary would dress in a wedding gown! I was so jealous ;-)

[AlaninSA]

Uff-da...my daughters’ flowers were pricey this year. With one named for the Blessed Virgin, there’s a clear devotion in both of them. Nothing but the best for Mary...and nothing but the most expense for dad.

:-)

[jeeperz]

LOL I really enjoyed your post of Immaculate Mary. I, being of “a certain age” do remember this hymn. I also remember cutting lilacs every other day to place at the “May Alter”. Thank you for this beautiful memory!

Hail Mary!

[elcid1970]

The verses to “Ave Maria” I first heard in 1950’s were,

“Immaculate Mary, our hearts are on fire,
“That title so wondrous fills all our desires!

And,

“We pray for our Savior, may His Kingdom come,
“We pray for the Vicar, our Father in Rome!

(Does anyone recall the hymn with the words,

“O Mary, we crown you with blossoms today,”

Thank all for this thread. It has made my day.

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[lastchance]

Does this thread might the definition for a Devotional one? If it does please give it that designation as I am tired of the anti-Catholic ravers showing up at any mention of our Blessed Mother.

[lastchance]

Never mind I missed the Caucus label. Sheesh what a maroon I is at times.

[BaBaStooey]

I graduated from a Catholic elementary school in 1994, and our parish & school sang that song and crowned Mary with flowers every single year at this time. Usually it was the kindergarten class that was given the honor of processing up with the pillow and crown of flowers.

[farmerfriend]

Monsignor Rohling was my parish priest as a kid.

[NYer]

Monsignor Rohling was my parish priest as a kid.

Wow ... what are the odds that his article was included in this thread? This must have been meant for you :-)

[NYer]

(Does anyone recall the hymn with the words, “O Mary, we crown you with blossoms today,”

Absolutely!!! That was the hymn sung during the actual crowning.

BRING FLOWERS OF THE RAREST:
A TRADITIONAL CHRISTIAN (CATHOLIC) MARIAN HYMN

 

This very popular anonymous Catholic hymn found in all hymnals of the Catholic Church is a hymn to Mary with a springtime flavour, often sung during the month of May, which is dedicated to her: "Queen of the May".

The spring theme comes out very clearly with its emphasis on flowers, blossoms, garden, and pastoral scenes such as "woodland", "hillside", "dale". As is becoming for the Mother of the Lord the flowers to be picked for her are to be of the "rarest" and "fairest" kind and to be sought from all over.

The spring theme is carried over to the minds and souls of those who gather the flowers. The dominant atmosphere is one of joy: "Our full hearts are swelling, our glad voices telling" and the last line, "Mary herself is the cause of our mirth". As the bowers are "radiant" with flowers so the souls of the gatherers are radiant with joy.

The heavenly beings in their veneration of Mary, whom all generations shall call blessed (Luke 1: 48), are also seen as a model for Christians: "grant that thy children on earth be as true".

In the hymn there is harmony between Mary and nature ("the loveliest flower of the vale"), man and nature and also between man and the heavenly beings: "The bright angels o'er us Re-echo the strains we begin upon earth; Their harps are repeating The notes of our greeting". The reason for this is that it is Mary, a human being like us, already Queen of the angels, in her exalted state anticipating our own, unites heaven and earth, man and the angels, man and nature.

 

Bring Flowers of the Fairest

A shortened version: Bring flowers of the rarest, Bring blossoms the fairest, From garden and woodland and hillside and dale; Our full hearts are swelling, Our glad voices telling The praise of the loveliest flower of the vale. O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, Their lady they name thee, Their mistress proclaim thee, Oh, grant that thy children on earth be as true As long as the bowers Are radiant with flowers As long as the azure shall keep its bright hue. O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, Sing gaily in chorus, The bright angels o'er us Re-echo the strains we begin upon earth; Their harps are repeating The notes of our greeting, For Mary herself is the cause of our mirth.   Another version: Bring flowers of the fairest, Bring flowers of the rarest, From garden and woodland And hillside and dale; Our full hearts are swelling, Our Glad voices telling The praise of the loveliest flower of the vale. O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, Our voices ascending, In harmony blending, Oh, thus may our hearts turn Dear Mother, to thee; Oh, thus shall we prove thee How truly we love thee, How dark without Mary Life's journey would be. O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, O Virgin most tender, Our homage we render, Thy love and protection, Sweet Mother, to win. In danger defend us, In sorrow befriend us, And shield our hearts From contagion and sin. O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, Of Mothers the dearest, Oh, wilt thou be nearest, When life with temptation Is darkly replete? Forsake us, O never! Our hearts be they ever As Pure as the lilies We lay at thy feet. O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May, O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May,

Source

[Notwithstanding]

Wow - my daughters just informed me that we are having a corwning in our home on Mother’s Day and the neighbors are all invited.

That means we will have about 50 kids here!

I will show her this for ideas.

[NYer]

This is what May crownings used to look like.

Here are some Family May Crowning ideas.