Honoring the Queen of Heaven: The Tradition of May Crowning

Each spring, as blossoms return and creation awakens, the Catholic Church turns with love and reverence to the Blessed Virgin Mary—our Mother and Queen. Among the most cherished devotions of this season is the May Crowning, a time-honored tradition that lifts our hearts toward heaven through Mary, who always leads us to her Son.

A Beloved Tradition

For generations, parishes, schools, and families around the world have marked the month of May with processions, hymns, and flower offerings in honor of Mary. At the heart of these celebrations is the crowning of a statue of the Blessed Virgin—a visible sign of our love for the one who is both Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. Often accompanied by the hymn Bring Flowers of the Rarest, the ceremony is a tender moment of devotion that speaks to the beauty, humility, and majesty of Mary.

Why May? Why a Crown?

May is a month of renewal—of new life and new beginnings. Since medieval times, it has also been considered Mary’s month, a natural time to honor the one through whom the new life of Christ entered the world. The blossoming earth mirrors the spiritual flourishing that Mary inspires in the hearts of believers.

We crown Mary because she is, in every way, a queen—not in the worldly sense, but in the kingdom of God. As the Mother of Jesus, the King of Kings, Mary holds a unique and exalted place. Her perfect discipleship, her faithful “yes” to God’s will, and her enduring presence with the Church make her the crown of all creation.

As Scripture tells us:

“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 end.” (Luke 1:32–33)

A Month of Marian Feasts

May is also rich with Marian feast days, adding depth to the month’s devotions. We celebrate:

• Our Lady of Fatima (May 13)

• Mary, Help of Christians (May 24)

• The Visitation (May 31)

• Our Lady, Queen of Apostles (Saturday after the Ascension)

• Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces (May 31)

Each title reveals a different facet of Mary’s role in salvation history and her ongoing care for the Church.

An Invitation

At Saint John’s Seminary, we embrace the tradition of May Crowning as a moment to deepen our devotion, renew our spiritual lives, and encounter Christ through the heart of His Mother. Whether celebrated with a parish procession, a school prayer service, or a simple act of love at home, the crowning of Mary reminds us that she is always near—guiding us, praying for us, and leading us closer to her Son.

This May, we invite you to join us in honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary. May her example inspire us to grow in faith, hope, and love, and may her prayers bring us ever deeper into the mystery of Christ.