MAY CROWNING OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY WITHIN A
CELEBRATION OF THE WORD OF GOD AT HOME
May is a month of special devotion to our Blessed Mother. The crowning of an image of the
Blessed Virgin Mary has been a long-standing Catholic devotion. Although it is a custom to
practice this devotion as a parish family, we can also make it a practice within our own families,
the domestic church.
Before proceeding, take a moment to prepare. You will need a Bible, statue (or small figurine,
picture, etc.) of the Blessed Mother and a crown (this can be handmade). You will need two
crowns if the image is of both Mary and the infant Jesus. Traditionally, crowns have been made
with flowers; you could even use dandelions that are growing in your yard. Creating a crown of
wild flowers may even be a fun project to complete as a family before this prayer service (click
here for a tutorial from Catholic Icing for how to make a simple clover crown). If flowers are not
an option, consider what other materials you may have in your home that can be made into a
crown (beautiful yarn or cloth, for instance). You may also wish to decorate the area with
candles and additional flowers to create a sense of sacredness.
MARIAN HYMN
HAIL, HOLY QUEEN
Hail, holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria.
Hail, Queen of mercy and of love, O Maria.
Triumph, all ye cherubim. Sing with us, ye seraphim.
Heaven and earth resound the hymn:
Salve, salve, salve Regina!
The cause of joy for us below, O Maria.
The spring through which all graces flow, O Maria.
Angels, all your praises bring; earth and heaven, with us sing;
All creation echoing:
Salve, salve, salve Regina!
Hermanus Contractus, 1013—1054, tr. Roman Hymnal, New York, 1884
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All respond: Amen
INVITATION TO PRAY
Leader: Come, let us worship Christ, the Son of Mary.
All respond: Let us give praise and thanks to the Lord as we keep this day in loving memory of
the Blessed Virgin Mary
INTRODUCTION
Leader: We have gathered to crown this picture/statue/sculpture of the Virgin Mother of
God. As we begin this celebration, let us be attentive and listen to the word of
God in faith.
This ceremony has a lesson to teach us about the Gospel: that the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven are those who are foremost in serving and in love.
Our Lord himself came to serve, not to be served; he drew all things to himself
when he was lifted up from the earth, and he reigned from the tree by the power
of gentleness and love.
And our Lady, whose glory we proclaim today, was the humble servant of the
Lord when she was on earth: she gave herself utterly to her Son and his work;
with him, and under him, she was an instrument of our redemption.
Now, in the glory of heaven, she is still the God-bearer to Christ’s brothers and
sisters: she cares about their eternal salvation; she is minister of holiness and
queen of love.
Let us pray.
O God,
since you have given us Mary, the Mother of your Son,
to be our mother and our queen,
grant that we, who have come here to crown her image,
may attain the glory of your children in the kingdom of heaven.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All respond: Amen
READINGS
First reading: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10
Responsorial Psalm: I Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8
R. My heart rejoices in the Lord, my Savior.
As Hannah worshiped the Lord, she said:
“My heart exults in the Lord,
My horn is exalted in my God.
I have swallowed up my enemies;
I rejoice in my victory.
R. My heart rejoices in the Lord, my Savior.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
while the tottering gird on strength.
The well-fed hire themselves out for bread,
while the hungry batten on spoil.
The barren wife bears seven sons,
while the mother of many languishes.
R. My heart rejoices in the Lord, my Savior.
The Lord puts to death and gives life;
he casts down to the nether world;
he raises up again.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich,
he humbles, he also exalts.
R. My heart rejoices in the Lord, my Savior.
He raises the needy from the dust;
from the ash heap he lifts up the poor,
To seat them with nobles
and make a glorious throne their heritage.
R. My heart rejoices in the Lord, my Savior.
Gospel: John 19:25-27
Rite of Crowning
THANKSGIVING AND INVOCATION
The leader stands before the image of the Mother of God and alternates saying the prayer of
thanksgiving and invocation with all present.
Leader: Lord, we bless you, for you are full of mercy and justice:
you humble the proud and exalt the lowly.
All Respond: You gave us the highest example of your divine wisdom
in the mystery of the Word made flesh and of his virgin Mother.
Leader: Your Son, humbled by death, rose glorious at your right hand,
the King of all creation.
All Respond: The Virgin, who acknowledged herself to be a servant,
became the Mother of our Redeemer and of those reborn in her Son.
Now, raised above the angels, she prays for all:
the Queen of mercy and grace.
Leader: Bless us as we crown this image of the Mother of your Son (of
Christ and his Mother).
All Respond: We confess Christ to be the King of creation and call upon
Mary, our Queen. May we walk in their likeness, spending
ourselves for the sake of others. Content with our place in this
life, may we one day hear your voice inviting us to take our
place in heaven and receive the crown of victory.
CROWNING
Someone places the crown on the image of Mary. If the image is of both Mary and the infant
Jesus, the image of Christ is crowned before that of the Virgin Mary. As the image is crowned,
an appropriate song is sung.
IMMACULATE MARY
Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing;
You reign now in splendor with Jesus, our King.
Ave, ave, ave Maria. Ave, ave Maria.
In heaven the blessed your glory proclaim;
On earth, we your children, invoke your sweet name.
Ave, ave, ave Maria. Ave, ave Maria.
Jeremiah Cummings, 1814—1866
LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
After the crowning, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary is sung or recited. The leader sings or
recites the invocations, and all respond.
Leader: All respond:
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy.
God our Father in heaven have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world “
God the Holy Spirit “
Holy Trinity, one God “
Holy Mary pray for us.
Holy Mother of God “
Most honored of Virgins “
Chosen daughter of the Father “
Mother of Christ the King “
Glory of the Holy Spirit “
Virgin daughter of Zion “
Virgin poor and humble “
Virgin gentle and obedient “
Handmaid of the Lord “
Mother of the Lord “
Helper of the Redeemer “
Full of grace “
Fountain of beauty “
Model of virtue “
Finest fruit of the redemption “
Perfect disciple of Christ “
Untarnished image of the Church “
Woman transformed “
Woman clothed with the sun “
Woman crowned with stars “
Gentle Lady “
Gracious Lady “
Our Lady “
Joy of Israel “
Splendor of the Church “
Pride of the human race “
Advocate of peace “
Minister of holiness “
Champion of God’s people “
Queen of love “
Queen of mercy “
Queen of peace “
Queen of angels “
Queen of patriarchs and prophets “
Queen of apostles and martyrs “
Queen of all saints “
Queen of confessors and virgins “
Queen conceived without original sin “
Queen assumed into heaven “
Queen of all the earth “
Queen of heaven “
Queen of the universe “
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
Leader: Pray for us, O glorious Mother of the Lord.
All respond: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
The leader concludes the Litany with the following prayer:
God of mercy, listen to the prayers of your servants who have honored your
handmaid Mary as mother and queen.
Grant that by your grace, we may serve you and our neighbor on earth and
be welcomed into your eternal kingdom. We ask this through Christ our
Lord.
All respond: Amen.
MARIAN HYMN
SING OF MARY
Sing of Mary, pure and lowly, Virgin Mother undefiled.
Sing of God’s own Son most holy,
Who became her little child.
Fairest child of fairest Mother,
God the Lord who came to earth,
Word-made-flesh, our very brother.
Takes our nature by his birth.
Sing of Jesus, son of Mary, in the home at Nazareth.
Toil and labor cannot weary love enduring unto death.
Constant was the love he gave her,
Though he went forth from her side,
Forth to preach and heal and suffer,
Till on Calvary he died.
Roland Palmer, 1891—1985
Adapted by the Diocese of Owensboro Office of Worship from The Rites of the Catholic Church Volume II.
