May Crowning

It is a Catholic tradition to honor Mary, our mother, during the month of May by placing a crown of flowers on a statue of her. A May crowning is usually held early in the month and is typically done by children, one who crowns the statue and others that place flowers around it. The crowning is often preceded by a procession, prayers, reading from Scripture, and the singing of hymns.  

For centuries, May has been a month dedicated to the Blessed Mother. In many parts of the world, it is a month in which we celebrate spring and new life coming into the world. There are also three feast days in the month dedicated to Mary. April 13 is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. On the Monday after Pentecost, this year on May 29, 2023, the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, And, on May 31, the Church celebrates the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commemorating when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, went to see her cousin, Elizabeth, who would soon give birth to St. John the Baptist.

May Crowning Ceremonies in the Diocese of Portland

All Saints Catholic School, Bangor

All Saints Catholic School students will have May Crownings during their weekly Masses on Wednesday, May 7. The K-3rd graders will crown Mother Mary at St. Mary Church, 768 Ohio Street in Bangor, during the 8:30 am Mass and 4th-8th graders will have their May Crowning during the 8:30 am Mass at St. John Church, 207 York Street in Bangor.

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland - A May crowning of Mary will take place during the Sunday, May 4, 10 a.m. Mass.

Our Lady of Hope Parish, Portland

St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland - Faith formation children will participate in a May Crowning ceremony on Sunday, May 4, following the 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Pius X Church. There will be a procession with flowers to a statue of Mary.

Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Dexter

St. Anne Church, 64 Free Street, Dexter - All children are invited to process with flowers before the 10:30 a.m. Mass to crown the statue of Mary and put flowers around her.

Parish of the Holy Eucharist, Falmouth

On Sunday, May 4, faith formation children will crown a statue of Mary at the conclusion of the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Martyrs of North America Church in Falmouth.

Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish, Portland

Sacred Heart Church, 65 Mellen Street, Portland - A  May crowning of Mary will take place during the Sunday, May 4, 10:30 a.m. Mass.

St. Agnes Parish, Pittsfield

St. Agnes church, 238 Detroit Street, Pittsfield - All children are invited to process with flowers before the 8 a.m. Mass to crown the statue of Mary and put flowers around her.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Westbrook

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham -  A May crowning will take place during the 8 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 4.

St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street, Gorham - A May crowning will be held on Sunday, May 4.

St. Hyacinth Church, 268 Brown Street, Westbrook - A May crowning will take place on Sunday, May 4, during the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

St. John Paul II Parish, Scarborough

St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough - Children will participate in a May Crowning ceremony in the Mary Garden at the church on Sunday, May 4, at 1 p.m. They will then have the opportunity to make their own Mary Garden to take home.

St. Louis Parish, Portland

St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth Street, Portland - A  May crowning of Mary will take place during the Sunday, May 4, 11:30 a.m. Mass.

St. Peter Parish, Portland

St. Peter Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland - A  May crowning of Mary will take place during the Sunday, May 4, 9 a.m. Mass.