May is quite a busy month for many of us. May includes Mother’s Day, graduations, the conclusion of another academic year, and as Christians we conclude the Easter season with the Solemn Feast of Pentecost this year on May 19.
A longstanding Catholic tradition, and one that I grew up with in my home parish, is May Crowning. The May Crowning of Mary honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, who throughout history, has long been honored by Catholics. To symbolize her significance in the Church and in our lives, the “May Crowning” is set up to display her queenship as the mother of Jesus.
Catholics have long honored Mary in May with special observances, traditions and devotions. This devotion led her to be known as the “Queen of May.” May being observed as a dedication is linked back to early Greece when ancient Greeks dedicated a month to Artemis, the goddess of fecundity. In medieval times, winter ended at the start of May because it was considered a time of new growth and beginnings. During this time, the “Tricesimum” (“30 Day Devotion to Mary” or “Lady Month”) period began, when special devotions to the Mother of God started in May. It spread from Italy all around the world. Parishes traditionally have a daily recitation of the Rosary during this month if it is not done throughout the year as we do here at Corpus Christi. In many areas of the world, specifically in parishes or areas whose patron saint is the Blessed Mother, they might even have processions with a statue or image of Mary adorned with a crown and surrounded by flowers. 
It is important to note that we do not view May as a goddess, nor do we worship Mary; she is honored or venerated as the mother of Christ, the most important woman in history and in our Church. She is the one woman, chosen by the One God to bring forth the Corpus Christi, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, making her the Mother of God and our mother. In that way, she also gave birth to us spiritually and she is our mother in faith.
Here at Corpus Christi, our students who received the Eucharist for the first time will be honoring our Blessed Mother on our behalf by presenting her with flowers, and one of the young women of our parish in 8th grade will be blessed to crown our beautiful image. This will take place at the 10:00 Mass on Sunday, May 5th. You are invited to bring fresh flowers from your home and place them around the images of Mary in our Church throughout the month of May.
Bring Flowers of the Rarest
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.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.
God Bless,
