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May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary refer to special
Marian devotions Marian devotions are external pious practices directed to the person of Mary, mother of God, by members of certain Christian traditions. They are performed in Catholicism, High Church Lutheranism, Anglo-Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Orie ...
held in the
Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
during the month of May honoring Mary, mother of God as "the Queen of May". These services may take place inside or outside. A "May Crowning" is a traditional Roman Catholic ritual that occurs in the month of May.


Origins

A number of traditions link the month of May to Mary. Alfonso in the 13th century wrote in his ''
Cantigas de Santa Maria The ''Cantigas de Santa Maria'' (, ; "Canticles of Holy Mary") are 420 poems with musical notation, written in the medieval Galician-Portuguese language during the reign of Alfonso X of Castile ''El Sabio'' (1221–1284). Traditionally, they a ...
'' about the special honoring of Mary during specific dates in May. Eventually, the entire month was filled with special observances and devotions to Mary. The origin of the conventional May devotion is still relatively unknown. Herbert Thurston identifies the seventeenth century as the earliest instance of the adoption of the custom of consecrating the month of May to the Blessed Virgin by special observances. It is certain that this form of Marian devotion began in Italy. Around 1739, witnesses speak of a particular form of Marian devotion in May in Grezzano near
Verona Verona ( , ; vec, Verona or ) is a city on the Adige River in Veneto, Italy, with 258,031 inhabitants. It is one of the seven provincial capitals of the region. It is the largest city municipality in the region and the second largest in nor ...
. In 1747 the Archbishop of Genoa recommended the May devotion as a devotion for the home.Küppers, Kurt. ''Marienlexikon'', Vol 4, p. 244-246, Augsburg
/ref> Specific prayers for them were promulgated in Rome in 1838. According to Frederick Holweck, the May devotion in its present form originated at Rome where Father Latomia of the Roman College of the
Society of Jesus , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...
, to counteract infidelity and immorality among the students, made a vow at the end of the eighteenth century to devote the month of May to Mary. From Rome, the practice spread to the other Jesuit colleges and thence to nearly every Catholic church of the Latin rite. In Rome by 1813, May devotions were held in as many as twenty churches. From Italy, May devotions soon spread to France. In Belgium, the May devotions, at least as a private devotion, were already known by 1803. The tradition of honoring Mary in a month-long May devotion spread eventually around the Roman Catholic world in the 19th century together with a month-long devotion to
Jesus Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religiou ...
in June and the
Rosary The Rosary (; la, , in the sense of "crown of roses" or "garland of roses"), also known as the Dominican Rosary, or simply the Rosary, refers to a set of prayers used primarily in the Catholic Church, and to the physical string of knots or ...
in October.


May devotions

In his 1965 encyclical, ''Mense Maio'',
Pope Paul VI Pope Paul VI ( la, Paulus VI; it, Paolo VI; born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini, ; 26 September 18976 August 1978) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 21 June 1963 to his death in Augus ...
identified the month of May as an opportune time to incorporate special prayers for peace into traditional May devotions. There is no firm structure as to the content of a May devotion. It usually includes the singing of Marian anthems, readings from scriptures, and a
sermon A sermon is a religious discourse or oration by a preacher, usually a member of clergy. Sermons address a scriptural, theological, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law, or behavior within both past and present contexts. E ...
. Catholics offer Mary in May: pilgrimages, visits to churches dedicated to her, little sacrifices in her honor, periods of study and well-finished work offered up to her, and a more attentive recitation of the
rosary The Rosary (; la, , in the sense of "crown of roses" or "garland of roses"), also known as the Dominican Rosary, or simply the Rosary, refers to a set of prayers used primarily in the Catholic Church, and to the physical string of knots or ...
."Month of Mary-May Devotions", Catholic News Agency
/ref> The last devotion on May 31 is often followed by a solemn procession, during which a statue or portrait of the Virgin Mary is carried back into the church. Some May devotions may take place outside or in a dedicated special place.


Family Devotions

One particular practice characteristic of May devotions is the May Altar, whether in a church or as a " house altar" in the home. Marian devotions such as the rosary may take place within the family around this altar consisting of a table with a Marian picture, candles, and decorated with many May flowers The custom of the May Altar stems from southern European countries. With the development of May Altars in churches, the custom spread to set up this type of "altar" also in the home. This specific devotion has been supported by several popes including Pope Pius XII in his encyclical '' Ingruentium malorum'': * ''The custom of the family recitation of the Holy Rosary is a most efficacious means. What a sweet sight - most pleasing to God - when, at eventide, the Christian home resounds with the frequent repetition of praises in honor of the High Queen of Heaven! Then the Rosary, recited in the family, assembled before the image of the Virgin, in an admirable union of hearts, the parents and their children, who come back from their daily work. It unites them piously with those absent and those dead. It links all more tightly in a sweet bond of love, with the most Holy Virgin, who, like a loving mother, in the circle of her children, will be there bestowing upon them an abundance of the gifts of concord and family peace.''


May Devotions by 30 family groups

May devotions flourished across the world in the later part of 19th century. Eastern Churches had very clourful celebrations. Soon families gathered and had identified them for thirty days of the month, and the 31st day was celebrated by the entire village or town. Records show that in 1922 the Churches of Maravankudieruppu, the capital Church of Vaenaadu Catholics, and
Kamanayakkanpatti Kamanayakkanpatti is the laterday capital of Ezhasa Naadu , is now a village in the Kovilpatti Taluk, located in the Thoothukudi District of Tamil Nadu, and is famous for the Catholic Church dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption. The Festival ...
, the Capital Church of Paandiyaa Kingdom Catholics have started the May Devotion by 30 family groups. The practice was followed by many churches in the country and in 1950s almost all the Churches in Indian Union started celebrating May Devotions by 30 family groups.


Mary, Queen of May

Pope Pius XII, recognizing traditional precedents, proclaimed the "Queenship of Mary" through his encyclical, ''Ad Caeli Reginam''. While May devotions may differ in various countries, the Marian title "Queen of May" exists in several countries as manifested in Marian songs. In English speaking countries such as England, Ireland and the United States a Marian hymn uses the following text: In German-speaking countries, the equivalent term is ''Maienkönigin'' ("May-Queen"): Another similar song greets Mary, the queen of May, who is greeted by the month of May. Another well-known Marian "Queen of May" song ends with the words: * ''O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today!'' * ''Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.'' * ''O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,'' * ''Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May''.


May crownings

In Eastern churches, crowning Mary was associated with adding ornamentation to an
icon An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Catholic churches. They are not simply artworks; "an icon is a sacred image used in religious devotion". The most c ...
of Mary, sometimes as simple as adding additional gold trim. Perhaps in homage to this,
Pope The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
Clement VIII added two crowns to the icon of Salus Populi Romani in the Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome. The crowns were eventually lost, but were replaced by
Gregory XVI Pope Gregory XVI ( la, Gregorius XVI; it, Gregorio XVI; born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari; 18 September 1765 – 1 June 1846) was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 2 February 1831 to his death in 1 June 1846. He h ...
in 1837 in a rite that was to become the standard practice for crowning. “Images are venerated ‘not because of a belief that these images themselves possess anything of divinity or power, but because the honor shown them is directed to the prototypes they represent’ (Council of Trent, session 25)” B, no. 1258 Parishes and private groups often process and crown an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary with flowers. This often is referred to as a “May Crowning.” This rite may be done on solemnities and feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or other festive days, and offers the Church a chance to reflect on Mary’s role in the history of salvation.Lewis, Suzaanne M. "Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary", ''Pastoral Liturgy''
/ref> In some countries, it takes place on or about May 1, however, in many United States Catholic parishes, it frequently takes place on Mother's Day. The custom fell out of vogue in many places during the 1970s-80s, but has since made a comeback along with many other traditional Catholic practices. An image or likeness of the Blessed Virgin Mary is ceremonially crowned to signify her as
Queen of Heaven Queen of Heaven ( la, Regina Caeli) is a title given to the Virgin Mary, by Christians mainly of the Catholic Church and, to a lesser extent, in Anglicanism, Lutheranism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. The Catholic teaching on this subject is express ...
and the
Mother of God ''Theotokos'' (Greek: ) is a title of Mary, mother of Jesus, used especially in Eastern Christianity. The usual Latin translations are ''Dei Genitrix'' or '' Deipara'' (approximately "parent (fem.) of God"). Familiar English translations are ...
. Today, May crownings occur in many Roman Catholic parishes and homes with the crowning of a statue of Mary. There is considerable flexibility regarding the rite, and it can be adapted to many different circumstances and situations depending on whether the crowning is done in a parish, a school or classroom, or even in the family. The rite may consist of hymns, prayers, and perhaps an act of consecration to Our Lady.Edward. "May Crownings of Mary", ''Zenit'', May 6, 2008
/ref> The climax of the celebration is the moment when the one of those present places a crown of flowers on Mary's head accompanied by a traditional hymn to the Blessed Mother. The ceremony usually takes place with young girls in dresses carrying flowers (traditionally hawthorn) to adorn the statue. One of the girls (often the youngest) carries a crown of flowers or an actual golden crown on a cushion for placement by the May Queen (often the oldest girl) on the statue. The flowers are replaced throughout the month to keep them fresh. The
Coronation of the Virgin The Coronation of the Virgin or Coronation of Mary is a subject in Christian art, especially popular in Italy in the 13th to 15th centuries, but continuing in popularity until the 18th century and beyond. Christ, sometimes accompanied by God th ...
became a popular subject in art.


''Flores de Mayo''

In the
Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
and other countries, Mary is fêted in May with the ''Flores de Mayo'' ("Flowers of May"), where devotees collect colourful flowers with which to decorate the
parish A parish is a territorial entity in many Christian denominations, constituting a division within a diocese. A parish is under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of a priest, often termed a parish priest, who might be assisted by one or ...
church's altars and aisles (cf. chancel flowers).Bayan, Ruby."Flowers of May"
/ref> Catholic communities often congregate in the afternoons to pray the rosary, offer flowers to an image of the Virgin Mary, and share homemade delicacies and snacks. In more formal processions, children and adults wear their Sunday best, singing and dancing to welcome the rains that will water the new crops. The celebration is highlighted by the '' Santacruzan'', a ritual pageant celebrating the
Finding of the Holy Cross In the Christian liturgical calendar, there are several different Feasts of the Cross, all of which commemorate the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus. Unlike Good Friday, which is dedicated to the passion of Christ and the crucifixion, these ...
. Young ladies, often called ''reynas'' ("queens"), are chosen to represent biblical figures such as Judith,
Marian titles Mary, the mother of Jesus in Christianity, is known by many different titles (Blessed Mother, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady, Holy Virgin), epithets ( Star of the Sea, Queen of Heaven, Cause of Our Joy), invocations (''Panagia'', Mother of ...
taken from the Litany of Loreto (e.g. '' Rosa Mística''), and other traditional or allegorical figures from religious and national history (e.g. ''Reyna Emperatríz'', ''Reyna Mora''). The ''reynas'', dressed in their finery and bearing attributes, walk through the town escorted by young men or boys. The ''Reyna Elena'', representing
Saint Helena Saint Helena () is a British overseas territory located in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote volcanic tropical island west of the coast of south-western Africa, and east of Rio de Janeiro in South America. It is one of three consti ...
, is the last and grandest; she bears a cross or crucifix as she is escorted by a young boy playing Constantine. All participants walk under mobile arches festooned with flowers or other decorations connoting bounty. The ''Santacruzan'' custom in the Philippines is thus a fusion of both the May Marian devotions and celebrations surrounding Roodmas, which was once celebrated on 3 May.


In Lithuania

In 1853, May devotions arrived in Lithuania. It is thought that they were introduced in
Samogitia Samogitia or Žemaitija ( Samogitian: ''Žemaitėjė''; see below for alternative and historical names) is one of the five cultural regions of Lithuania and formerly one of the two core administrative divisions of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania ...
by the initiative of bishop
Motiejus Valančius Motiejus Kazimieras Valančius ( pl, , also known by his pen-name ''Joteika'' and ''Ksiądz Maciek''; 1801–1875) was a Catholic Bishop of Samogitia, historian and one of the best known Lithuanian/Samogitian writers of the 19th century. Bio ...
. Later, at the end of the century the May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary began to be sung in
Vilnius Vilnius ( , ; see also other names) is the capital and largest city of Lithuania, with a population of 592,389 (according to the state register) or 625,107 (according to the municipality of Vilnius). The population of Vilnius's functional u ...
. May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary are also called Mojava. They are sung not only in churches, but also in the homes of the faithful, - villagers and townspeople sing together after their day’s labours. For the occasion of the May devotions a small altar with a statue of Mary is prepared at home. Mojava are also sung during the opening celebration of the Museum of Samogitian village. File:May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Museum of the Samogitian village) Telsiai 62.jpg File:May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Museum of the Samogitian village) Telsiai 65.jpg File:May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Museum of the Samogitian village) Telsiai 67.jpg File:May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Museum of the Samogitian village) Telsiai 69.jpg File:May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Museum of the Samogitian village) Telsiai 70.jpg File:May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Museum of the Samogitian village) Telsiai 64.jpg


Mary Gardens

Floral imagery from scripture and nature has been applied to Mary in the writings of the Church Fathers and in the liturgy, providing the foundation in tradition for the subsequent naming of hundreds of flowers for Mary's life, mysteries, virtues, excellences and divine prerogatives in the popular religious folk traditions of the medieval countrysides - as recorded by botanists, folklorists and lexicographers.Stokes, Jr., John. "Mary's Gardens"
/ref> The practice of honoring Mary with flowers originated among monasteries and convents in
medieval Europe In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
. During the Middle Ages, people saw reminders of Mary in the flowers and herbs growing around them.Krymow, Vincenzina and Frisk, M. Jean. "Honoring Mary in Your Garden", ''St. Anthony Messenger''
The first reference to an actual garden dedicated to Mary is from the life of St.
Fiacre Fiacre may refer to: *Fiacre (carriage), a horse-drawn carriage *One of three Irish saints known as Saint Fiacre *The French commune of Saint-Fiacre, Seine-et-Marne Saint-Fiacre () is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de- ...
, Irish patron saint of gardening, who planted and tended a garden around the oratory to Our Lady he built at his famous hospice for the poor and infirm in France in the 7th Century. In the East floral gardens were introduced especially for the floral decorations for Mother Mary in May. Portughese relations with Thamizh Naadu(Now a part of Indian Union) has started May Devotions in 17th Century and Catholic families started developing Floral Gardens in every home. European flowering plants were introduced in India during this time. Ezha Maarthandan Thirupappur, a Catholic crown Prince of Ezhasa Naadu who was heading an Army in the name of Mother Mary has written that 'the celebrations of Mother Mary dominated that of our Lord Jesus, and hence June Devotion for our Lord had to be fiercely implemented". He also has written that he had to curtail some of the programs associated with May Devotions in Ezhasa Naadu and his parent Kingdom Vaenaadu.


See also

* Blessed Virgin Mary * Consecration and entrustment to Mary * Hymns to Mary *
Coronation of the Virgin The Coronation of the Virgin or Coronation of Mary is a subject in Christian art, especially popular in Italy in the 13th to 15th centuries, but continuing in popularity until the 18th century and beyond. Christ, sometimes accompanied by God th ...
*
Queen of Heaven Queen of Heaven ( la, Regina Caeli) is a title given to the Virgin Mary, by Christians mainly of the Catholic Church and, to a lesser extent, in Anglicanism, Lutheranism, and Eastern Orthodoxy. The Catholic teaching on this subject is express ...
*
Canonical coronation A canonical coronation ( la, Coronatio Canonica) is a pious institutional act of the pope, duly expressed in a bull, in which the pope bestows the right to impose an ornamental crown, a diadem or an aureole to an image of Christ, Mary or Jo ...
s * '' Oktav,'' double-octave in honour of our Lady of Luxembourg


References


External links


May Crownings, "All About Mary", The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, University of Dayton.
The University of Dayton's Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute (IMRI) is the world's largest repository of books, artwork and artifacts devoted to Mary, the mother of Christ, and a pontifical center of research and scholarship with a vast presence in cyberspace.

* ttps://www.createspace.com/3372373 May Crowning Hymnsbr>Catholic group that does May Crownings
{{Authority control Catholic spirituality Anglo-Catholicism May observances Marian feast days