May Crowning Activities for Children
The May Crowning is a Catholic tradition that celebrates Mary, the Mother of God. May, a month named for Mary, brings an abundance of flowers in most parts of the world. The idea to decorate an image or statue with flowers grew out of pious tradition. At no time does the Catholic Church intend to worship the statue itself. Instead, the flowers serve as a way to bring the person the image represents into our minds. Much the same way a fancy, decorated frame goes around a picture of a loved one.
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Traditional May Crowning
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The May Crowning is a special day in many Catholic schools all over the world. During a traditional, community-wide May Crowning, children process to a special outdoor grotto or a Church area that contains a statue of Mary. Depending on the ages in the school, students in the First Communion or Confirmation class usually lead the procession. Every child leaves a flower of some kind in a vase near the statue. One child, usually a girl, crowns the image with a wreath of flowers. Marian hymns are sung throughout the ceremony.
Family May Crowning
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The traditional May Crowning ceremony is easily adaptable to family use. Talk with the children to plan the short ceremony. Allow each child to suggest a prayer and choose a flower. Work together with the children to make a wreath of real, artificial or even paper flowers. Set a small statue of Mary in the yard or patio. Allow the youngest or oldest to crown the statue while everyone else adds flowers. This is appropriate for a Mother's Day activity.
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Marian Garden
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Create a garden around a statue full of plants named to honor Mary. Plant flowers such as the Ox-Eye Daisy, which also goes by the name of Mary's Star. Talk with the children about the Star in Bethlehem, and how Mary might have felt bringing a baby into a stable. Columbine is also called Our Lady's Shoe. Talk to the children about Mary's travels during Jesus' ministry. Lily of the Valley, or Mary's Tears, can begin a conversation about Mary's feelings when Jesus was wrongly accused. Many of these plants blossom in spring and throughout the summer months to adorn the statue all summer.
The Blooming Crown
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Not every child can crown the statue, but you can set up an activity that allows every child to create the crown. Build a large crown shape from chicken wire. Ask each child to bring a flower from home. Be sure to have some extras set aside for children who forget or accidentally break their flowers. While Marian songs are playing, process the children to the crown. Instruct each child to push her flower through the wire of the crown. Place the completed crown that contains flowers from everyone next to the statue of Mary.
Prayer Crown
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Find a large poster with a picture of Mary. Talk to the children about how every prayer we say to Jesus pleases Mary like a beautiful flower. Set aside a few minutes every day during May to say a special Marian prayer such as the "Hail Mary," "The Angelus" or even part of the Rosary. After saying each prayer, add a flower sticker to the poster. Start by creating a crown on the picture, then add the stickers around the picture as you wish.
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