Honoring Mary in May

CHARLOTTE — May is a special month in the Catholic Church to honor Mary as Queen of Heaven and Mother of Jesus. Young ladies and gentleman at parishes and schools across the diocese held special May Crowning celebrations. Read why May is devoted to Mary.

— Photos provided

Queen of Heaven and perfect follower of Christ - Mary we crown thee with flowers and prayers.

The Christ the King School community celebrated May Crowning with a rosary procession around school.

In keeping with school tradition, the oldest and youngest Christ the King female students have the honor of placing the crown of flowers on Mary’s head.

A May Crowning at Immaculata Catholic School in Hendersonville included a ceremony and students presenting flowers to Our Lady.

After a beautiful Mass, Our Lady of Assumption school gathered to honor Mary, our Mother, with a tradition as timeless as her love.

Amidst fragrant flowers and heartfelt prayers, students crowned her with love, gratitude and devotion. May her guiding light continue to inspire and bless us all.

After Charlotte Catholic High School’s last all-school Mass of the school year, the seniors gathered to celebrate the annual tradition of May Crowning.

The entire St. Patrick Catholic School family - students, teachers, staff, and parents - came together for a special, weekly school Mass.

After Mass, 2nd graders that recently made their First Communion led the procession from the Cathedral to the school's own Marian grotto for the May Crowning.

Father Ernest led the students, and the rest of the St. Patrick Catholic School family, in blessing the crown and placing it atop the school's statue of Mary.

Father Ernest led the students, and the rest of the St. Patrick Catholic School family, in blessing the crown and placing it atop the school's statue of Mary.(Copy)

May Crowning at St. Elizabeth Church in Boone.

Crowning of Mary at St. Lucien Church in Spruce Pine.

Irene Shingledecker and Brian Button, who recently received their First Holy Communion at St. Mark Church, had the honor of carrying the crown and placing it on Mary’s head after a procession of children placed flowers at her feet.

Fr. Aaron Huber: “One of the things I find very beautiful is that when we consider the Crowning of Our Lady, we think about the Fifth and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, which is the crowning of Our Lady, Queen of Heaven and Earth, which is done by God

"We become Christ-like by crowning Mary like we just did. I think it's very important that we recognize the examples set for us by these children today is something that we're supposed to keep alive in our hearts through this experience."