May is a special month in the Catholic Church. First Communion, the Rite of Ordination, and other celebrations often take place. The joy of Easter season and the flowers of Spring point to rebirth and optimism. But May is also unique because of its association with Mary, as it is a full month of devotion to the Blessed Mother.
The Catholic practice of setting aside 31 days for Mary can be traced back to the Tricesimum of the Middle Ages – and for the last few centuries, May, in particular, has been Her month. Now, Catholics pray daily rosaries and carry out the May Crowning ceremony, in which Mary is adorned with flowers and, on occasion, paraded through the streets.
Jersey Catholic collected pictures from this year’s May Crowning ceremonies held at parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Newark.
Church of the Presentation – Upper Saddle RiverChrist the King – Jersey CityCorpus Christi – Hasbrouck HeightsHoly Cross – HarrisonHoly Trinity – WestfieldImmaculate Heart of Mary / St. Patrick – ElizabethLittle Flower – Berkeley HeightsMadonna – Fort LeeMost Blessed Sacrament – Franklin LakesMost Holy Name – GarfieldOur Lady of Lourdes – MountainsideOur Lady of Mercy – Jersey CityOur Lady of Mercy – Park RidgeOur Lady of Peace – New ProvidenceOur Lady of the Visitation – ParamusSacred Heart – LyndhurstSeton Hall University – South OrangeSt. Bartholomew the Apostle – Scotch PlainsSt. Elizabeth of Hungary – WyckoffSt. Francis of Assisi – HackensackSt. Francis of Assisi – Ridgefield ParkSt. Leo – Elmwood ParkSt. Philomena – LivingstonSt. Peter – BellevilleSt. Rocco / St. Brigid – Union CitySt. Stephen – KearnySt. Thomas the Apostle – BloomfieldSt. Thomas More – FairfieldSt. Valentine – Bloomfield
