Positively Medieval: May Crowning

Nothing immerses you in the medieval mind as much as traditions like a May Crowning. This practice has enthusiastic Papal backing and reflects the pious devotional variations of so many Catholic regions!

Medieval Adornment

We can find early traditions of Marian adornment involving floral wreathes as far back as 1300s Europe, where people expressed their love for Our Queen Mother in simple, but ornate ways. While artwork used in Churches utilized gold crowns in relation to the royal nature of Mary, many local artists and people embraced the more "earthly" floras in their Liturgical celebrations.

Use of florals can be seen here, in "The Little Garden of Paradise" with Mary's crown having organic forms while remaining made of gold. All of the surrounding flowers have Marian meaning, such as the Iris (Mary's Fidelity).

Roses are used as a staple in Marian artwork, like this Tempura piece depicting St. Catherine of Alexandria being crowned a Princess with rose petals gathered by angels in Mary's heavenly garden.

A rare Medieval scene with Mary wearing a floral crown is shown here in Stefan Lochner's "Madonna of the Rose Bower."

Papal Love

Medieval Popes dedicated and declared Marian titles and feasts, 18th century Popes encouraged May as a Marian month, and Pope Pius XII formally linked Mary's queenship to the May crowning rituals with various encyclicals and public celebrations.

As if you needed any more reason to embrace this awesome custom! ;)

How To:

There's no "official" method to this, which means you're able to customize to whatever situation you're in! It can be done solo, in a group or as a Parish. Here's the gist of it:

Start by picking a spot to do the ceremony (living room, home altar, Mary garden, etc.) -Choose an image or statue to crown with florals (real or fake) and decide who will be doing the crowning
-Select an opening prayer or hymn (the Ave Maria doubles as both, tehehe)
Optional: You can do a procession while singing the opening hymn
Do a reading of scripture and or a series of Marian prayers (Litany of Loreto is perfect)
Crown your statue or image
End with a closing prayer and Marian Hymn

Happy May Crowning!

P.S.

May is a wonderful time to create your own "Mary Garden" with your outfits. The Rosa Mystica studs are Marian florals that go best with anything and everything!

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