“O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.”

On May 11, students and staff at St. James the Apostle Catholic Elementary School celebrated a May Crowning in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Crowning is a solemn procession during which a garland – or crown – of flowers is placed atop a statue of the Blessed Virgin. The ritual, celebrated every year during the month of May, celebrates Mary in her role as “Mother of the Church.”

“We were reminded that our Blessed Mother is Queen of heaven and earth,” said Principal Elena Minicucci. “There is no better way to honour a queen than to crown her.”

A statue of the crowned Blessed Mother was carried from the church to the school. At St. James, the school community gathered in the foyer to pray the rosary together, asking for Mary’s guidance and protection.

“O Virgin most tender,
Our homage we render,
Thy love and protection,
Sweet Mother, to win.”