In May, parishes and Catholic Schools of all vicariates join in the annual tradition of the May Crowning, when a statue of the Virgin Mary is crowned with a wreath of flowers and flowers are laid at her feet.
On May 1, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Riverside celebrated its May Crowning with a special Mass where the graduating eighth graders were joined by their mothers to honor them and crown Mary, creating an unforgettable experience of joy and love. St. Theresa School, Palm Springs, students took turns placing flowers at the feet of the Virgin Mary statue inside St. Theresa Church. Other schools like Our Lady of the Assumption School, San Bernardino, and St. Catherine of Siena School celebrated the May Crowning by attending Mass and then processed to their school grounds to crown the Mary statue on campus by the selected Mary court.
Notre Dame High School, Riverside, also celebrated a special May Crowning Mass on May 10, where they also bid farewell to its graduating seniors with a special blessing.
Most churches and schools try to hold the crowning on or near Mother’s Day because Our Lady is both Queen and Mother to all the faithful. As is customary, the crown is on display for the remainder of May.