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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Parish May Crownings

Fr. David Friel · May 4, 2014

RE YOU INVOLVED in your parish May Crowning? Planning for such festivities falls to a variety of people in different parishes and institutions. In some places, the event is planned directly by the local clergy, while in other places it is the purview of a liturgy planner, youth group, volunteer parent, or music director.

Many devotions fell out of favor for a time—Forty Hours, the rosary, novenas, etc. Mercifully, many of these devotions, including the May Crowning, have made and continue to make a strong resurgence. The May Crowning is a beautiful yearly opportunity to renew our love for Mary and to enlist her prayers. A strong devotional life in the parish church will naturally support and strengthen its liturgical vitality.

In most situations, preparations for this beloved annual tradition probably begin with a familiar question: What did we do last year? Since the May Crowning is a devotion with no specific, mandated form, that question is a fair place to begin. Some elements are widely incorporated: the presentation of a crown of roses by a selected lady, May poles, prayers seeking Mary’s protection, and hymns sung in honor of the Blessed Virgin. Inasmuch as a May Crowning is not a liturgical occasion, there is great freedom concerning what might constitute the ceremony. There can be songs, flowers, processions, a children’s choir, a litany, a sermon, and other celebratory components.

The National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) published a special volume in 1987, entitled, Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The title of this document can be misleading. Its purpose is not actually to provide a script for the May Crowning devotion, but rather to furnish a ritual for the one-time coronation of a special Marian statue with a bejeweled gold or silver crown. Ideally, the document envisions that this rite would be carried out by the diocesan bishop, or at least by another deputed bishop or priest.

Although the Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary does not specifically apply to the annual May Crowning ceremony, it may still serve as a useful resource in planning the yearly parish celebration of Mary. The structure of the rite, and even some of the prayers, readings, & intercessions provided, can serve as a starting point for formulating a parish May Crowning ceremony.

Not least among the many aspects of a good May Crowning is the musical dimension. The Order of Crowning suggests the singing of antiphons and hymns, including several Marian chants: Salve Regina, Sub Tuum Praesidium, Ave, Regina Caelorum, Alma Redemptoris Mater, Regina Caeli. American Catholics have a notably strong tradition of vernacular Marian hymns, too, which might well accompany the annual celebration.

Building up devotional celebrations and celebrating them well is an easy way for the parish church to foster greater love among its parishioners for Jesus, Mary, the Eucharist, and the Church universal.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Catholic Youth Choirs, USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“A father cannot introduce mistrust and division among his faithful children. He cannot humiliate some by setting them against others. He cannot ostracize some of his priests. The peace and unity that the Church claims to offer to the world must first be lived within the Church. ”

— Cardinal Sarah (14 August 2021)

Recent Posts

  • “The Injustice of Traditionis Custodes” • (Private Meetings at the Vatican)
  • New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
  • PDF Download • Croft’s “Canonic Kyrie” (SATB)
  • Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
  • “Music List” • 23rd in Ordinary Time (Year C)

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