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. May 13 is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. On the Monday after Pentecost, this year on May 25, 2026, the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, And, on May 30, 2026, 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
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland - A May crowning ceremony will take place during the Sunday, May 3, 10 a.m. Mass.
Our Lady of Hope Parish, Portland
St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue - Children will join in the crowning of Mary following the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 10.
Parish of the Holy Eucharist, Falmouth
Holy Martyrs of North America Church, 266 Foreside Road, Falmouth - There will be a May Crowning ceremony with children in catechesis following the 10:30 am Mass. The ceremony will include the crowning of Mary by one of the children followed by a procession around the block with the Mary statue.
Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish, Portland
Sacred Heart Church, 65 Mellen Street, Portland - A May crowning ceremony will take place during the Sunday, May 3, 10:30 a.m. Mass
St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Westbrook
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham - May crowning of Mary will take place during the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses.
St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street, Gorham - May crowning of Mary will take place during the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses.
St. John Paul II Parish, Scarborough
St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough - A May crowning ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 3, at noon, after which children will have the opportunity to make Mary Gardens.
St. Louis Parish, Portland
St. Louis Church, 279 Danforth Street, Portland - A May crowning ceremony will take place during the Sunday, May 3, 11 a.m. Mass
St. Peter Parish, Portland
St. Peter Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland - A May Crowning will take place during the Sunday, May 3, 9 a.m. Mass
