In popular devotion, each month is dedicated to a particular mystery or event. These dedications are intended to aid the devout in their consideration of Our Lord’s grace. Usually these dedications coincide with a dominant feast celebrated during the month. For example, January is dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus (2 January), March to St Joseph (19 March) and November to the Faithful Departed (2 Nov).
The month of May is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This dedication does not necessarily coincide with a particular feast, but with events in nature. The little rhyme about April showers bringing May flowers reminds us that most plants, especially flowers, come to life during May. Mary, of course, is the Mother of Life Himself, and so it is fitting that, as the flowers bloom, our attention is turned to Her whose virginal womb flowered to give birth to Our Lord.
The connection between the Holy Mother and May has been explicitly made in the Western church since medieval times. As the connection grew, both Mary and May were greeted in some cultures with special celebrations on certain days. Later, the entire month was devoted to Mary with special devotions or customs being celebrated, most especially in Italy.
Some of these special devotions are still practiced in Western churches during the month of May. Two laudable devotions are the May crowning and a regular recitation of the Rosary. In addition, many families set up a special “May altar” in their homes which, more or less, mimics the May crowning in church.
The May crowning is a simple devotion which draws our attention and affection to the Holy Virgin Mother, and is one form of adoration shown to images of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The crowning is a symbolic reminder both that Mary’s name means “Lady”; and that, by virtue of giving birth to Christ the King, she is the Queen Mother and thereby also the Queen of Heaven. Most importantly, the crowning is a devotional demonstration that, since She is “more honorable than the cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim,” Holy Mary is the absolute “crown” of creation.
To crown the Virgin, a statue or icon of Mary, prominently placed in the church (or home), is decorated with flowers throughout the month. Usually roses are used, but other flowers may also be arranged. The flowers are woven into a crown and placed on the head of the Blessed Virgin; or they are arranged as a scarf or mantel around the top and sides of an icon of the Holy Theotokos. In addition, roses or other flowers are laid at the base of the image.
Yet the image is not merely decorated. It serves as a focal point of devotion. Standing or kneeling before the adorned statue or icon of the Mother of God, the rosary should be prayed daily, in private or with the parish or family. Devotions to the Holy Mother, and particularly The Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (found in the St Ambrose Prayer Book, pp. 392-400) may also be prayed. One may also include an appropriate hymn, such as “O Queen of Heaven, be Joyful” or “Hail, Holy Queen.”
With this simple practice, we indicate our love and affection for the Holy Mother, and we honor Her as we ought to honor our own dear mothers.