This year we will renew the practice of crowning Our Lady, and I have asked the various societies of young ladies (i.e the Little Flowers, Rosa Mystica, and the Sodality) to assist with this pious devotion.
Henceforth, on the First Sunday of May, these societies will join a solemn procession before the High Mass. Their members will assemble in the courtyard. The Little Flowers will lead the procession, strewing rose petals on the ground. They will be followed by Rosa Mystica. Finally, a member of Rosa Mystica (selected by lot, in advance) will carry the crown, flanked by the members of the Sodality. We are hoping to have the Sodality members dressed in white or light-colored dresses, wearing the Miraculous Medal and a blue sash. Following the societies, the Altar Guild and clergy will process into the church as usual. During the procession, the Ave Maris Stella will be sung by the choir and the faithful in the church.
Arriving at the altar rail, the crown-bearer and members of the Sodality will move to the Gospel side before Our Lady, there kneeling. The faithful will likewise kneel in their pews. The celebrant, after reverencing the altar, will approach the crown-bearer, bless the crown, and bring it to Our Lady, where one of the men of the parish will await to carry the crown to Our Lady with a ladder.
The celebrant will then return to the foot of the altar and intone the Vidi aquam. When he departs to sprinkle the people, the ladder will be carried from the sanctuary. The members of the societies will be seated in reserved pews at the front of the church. Mass proceeds as usual. The floral crown will remain on Our Lady for the duration of the month of May, a time of privileged devotion to her.
