Queen of the May

One of the most beautiful Catholic customs is the annual May Crowning. Herewith a lovely video of Catholic school girls in diverse times and parishes placing wreaths of flowers on statues of Our Lady, crowning the Mother of our Redeemer with lovely ribbons and roses. "How dark without Mary life's journey would be!"

By saying "yes" to God, she gave us Jesus, and there is no greater gift possible for us mortals. Let us honor her in a particular way in this month dedicated to mothers and all those women who have helped us grow in our faith. Lyrics are in the show notes, but I am posting them here as well for all to sing along.

Happy Mother's Day to all our mothers, those still with us and those who have passed away, and to our heavenly Mother, Mary most holy, the perfect model of all mothers! 

"Queen of the May"
author unknown

Bring flowers of the fairest
Bring flowers of the rarest
From garden and woodland
And hillside and vale
Our full hearts are swelling
Our Glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest Rose of the vale

(chorus)
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
Our voices ascending, In harmony blending
Oh! Thus may our hearts turn Dear Mother, to thee
Oh! Thus shall we prove thee
How truly we love thee
How dark without Mary Life's journey would be!

(chorus)

O Virgin most tender
Our homage we render
Thy love and protection Sweet Mother, to win
In danger defend us
In sorrow befriend us
And shield our hearts
From contagion and sin

(chorus) 

Of Mothers the dearest
Oh, wilt thou be nearest
When life with temptation Is darkly replete
Forsake us, O never
Our hearts be they ever
As Pure as the lilies
We lay at thy feet! 

O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
​