One of my clear memories from my time at St. John's Elementary School in Hot Springs is the May Crowning procession on the first Friday in May. Each class of students would gather outside on the side of the church and process into the church singing a medley of Marian Hymns that still ring out in my mind, especially in the month of May. In that parish, a girl from the second grade First Communion class crowned a statue of Mary.
I'm sure many of you remember "May Crownings". They are a traditional May tradition in many parishes. Our Ladies of the Sacred Heart will crown Mary inside and outside our church this coming Monday, May 12 right before (indoor) and after (outdoor) the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
In this tradition we honor the "Queenship" of Mary. We refer to her as the Queen of heaven and earth. In the Litany of Mary, we ask for her prayers as the Queen of angels, patriarchs, prophets, Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and of all saints.
While it would be incorrect to ever see her in any way on the same level as her Son, Jesus (as he is human and divine and she was only human), it is appropriate to see her as the "Mother Queen" who gave birth to the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's, Jesus Christ. While May has long been considered the "Month of Mary" we are called to honor her every month of the year for who she was in the plan of Salvation, and the perfect disciple of her Son, Jesus Christ, and who she IS, a great intercessor to her Son for our wants and needs that we bring to her in various prayers, especially the "Hail Mary".
I want to share with you something that was composed by one of our "converts" to the Catholic Faith and fellow parishioner, Cindy Norlin, who already has a wonderful respect for the Blessed Virgin Mary and recognizes how special she is (or should be) to all Christians.
It is titled "May Flowers for Mary" and this is what it says:
In gardens bright where roses bloom,
And lilies lift their heads,
We gather petals, soft perfume,
Where love and prayer are wed.
With tender hands, we weave a crown
Of blossoms pure and fair,
And place it gently, kneeling down,
Upon her statue there.
O Mother mild, so full of grace,
Our Queen in heaven above,
Accept these blooms we humbly place--
A sign of all our love.
Each flower speaks what hearts can't say,
Each stem a whispered prayer,
That you may guide us day by day,
With gentleness and care.
So through the month of shining May,
With every bloom we bring,
We honor you in a quiet way--
Our Mother and our Queen.
I'm sure many of you remember "May Crownings". They are a traditional May tradition in many parishes. Our Ladies of the Sacred Heart will crown Mary inside and outside our church this coming Monday, May 12 right before (indoor) and after (outdoor) the 9:00 a.m. Mass.
In this tradition we honor the "Queenship" of Mary. We refer to her as the Queen of heaven and earth. In the Litany of Mary, we ask for her prayers as the Queen of angels, patriarchs, prophets, Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and of all saints.
While it would be incorrect to ever see her in any way on the same level as her Son, Jesus (as he is human and divine and she was only human), it is appropriate to see her as the "Mother Queen" who gave birth to the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's, Jesus Christ. While May has long been considered the "Month of Mary" we are called to honor her every month of the year for who she was in the plan of Salvation, and the perfect disciple of her Son, Jesus Christ, and who she IS, a great intercessor to her Son for our wants and needs that we bring to her in various prayers, especially the "Hail Mary".
I want to share with you something that was composed by one of our "converts" to the Catholic Faith and fellow parishioner, Cindy Norlin, who already has a wonderful respect for the Blessed Virgin Mary and recognizes how special she is (or should be) to all Christians.
It is titled "May Flowers for Mary" and this is what it says:
In gardens bright where roses bloom,
And lilies lift their heads,
We gather petals, soft perfume,
Where love and prayer are wed.
With tender hands, we weave a crown
Of blossoms pure and fair,
And place it gently, kneeling down,
Upon her statue there.
O Mother mild, so full of grace,
Our Queen in heaven above,
Accept these blooms we humbly place--
A sign of all our love.
Each flower speaks what hearts can't say,
Each stem a whispered prayer,
That you may guide us day by day,
With gentleness and care.
So through the month of shining May,
With every bloom we bring,
We honor you in a quiet way--
Our Mother and our Queen.