On Monday, May 13th Muire Gan Smál National School, Castleisland celebrated a very special and deeply traditional day.
“The girls in second class who made their first Holy Communion led the annual procession around the Presentation Convent Nuns’ Garden in their beautiful white communion dresses carrying a bouquet of flowers,” according to a note from the school.
Following on from the procession the girls crowned the statue of Our Lady with flowers at the school grotto.
Parents, staff and children of Muire Gan Smál all took part in this very special occasion.
Verso Ministries Explains
The 2016 founded world wide religious pilgrimage organisers, Verso Ministries provided the background to the tradition of the month of May Crowning of Our Lady within the Catholic faith throughout the world:
“At its simplest, May Crowning is a ritual celebrated in the month of May where an image or statue of Mary is crowned with a wreath of flowers and honored as the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God. But this simple ceremony carries deep meaning for the Catholic faith.
“Unlike most holidays, May Crowning doesn’t have a set date and can be celebrated at any time during the month of May. Some churches opt for Mother’s Day, while others do it as soon as May arrives.
Recently, Pope Francis chose to add the day to the liturgical calendar, placing it the day after Pentecost.
There is also no set ritual, but traditionally May Crownings are celebrated during Mass on that day and after a procession, a crown of flowers and herbs is placed on the head of a statue of Mary.
“It’s usually followed by prayers and/or hymns centered around Mary. The flowers and herbs are usually replaced throughout the rest of the month to keep them fresh.
While Mary the Mother of God is revered and celebrated all year long, May is a special month to celebrate the ‘Queen of Heaven.’
May has been Mary’s month since the medieval period, when May was considered the end of winter and the start of a new season of growth. It’s a time for new beginnings and the chance to begin with gratitude and devotion.
There are many reasons she is considered the ‘Queen of Heaven.’
She was a perfect follower of Christ, and so is considered the crown of creation. She is also the Mother of the Son of God, Jesus, who is the King of Israel and the universe. And of course, she is the most important woman of our faith, and our spiritual mother.
It’s our hope and prayer that this May, you’ll celebrate May Crowning in your own parish or home, and have a special encounter with Christ through the Virgin Mary.”
Tradition Celebrated
That’s the tradition which the 2024 First Holy Communion class at Muire Gan Smál celebrated and helped to preserve with their own ceremony on Monday, May 13th last.
The girls who took part in the 2024 ceremony in Castleisland were as follows: Georgie O’Callaghan, Kate O’Sullivan, Holly D’arcy, Molly Gallagher O’Sullivan, Molly Lynch, Layla Horan, Alysha Cronin, Haley Blehein and Annalise Cotter.
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