Blessed Virgin Mary | Catholic Family Fun | Marian devotion | Family Activities
Shelly Henley Kelly shares a how-to guide for families and friends who want to host a May Crowning at home.
There’s something deeply beautiful about honoring Our Blessed Mother in the month of May. For generations, Catholics have celebrated May Crownings in parishes and schools, but this tradition can be just as meaningful when brought into the home.
Growing up, Judy always wanted to be the girl chosen to crown the statue of Mary in her school’s May Crowning celebrations. She never was. But the happy childhood memories of singing Marian hymns and processing with flowers stayed with her for many years. So, when she saw the parish bulletin announcing a preschool May Crowning, it inspired her to host her own May Crowning at home with friends.
What are you waiting for? Need ideas on how? Read on...
Choose a Date!
While we generally associate May Crownings with May 1 or Mother’s Day, the entire month of May is dedicated to Our Blessed Lady, Queen of Heaven. Marian feast days in May include Our Lady of Fatima (May 13); Mary, Mother of the Church (May 25 this year — the day after Pentecost); and the Visitation (May 31). You can choose a date with meaning or schedule your May Crowning on any day available.
Create a Simple, Meaningful Space
Mary gardens are making a comeback, with various sizes and styles of garden statues available for purchase at a range of prices both in person and online. Judy already had one in the backyard, cheerfully surrounded by pink and yellow moss roses; however, if you don’t have an outside statue, you could create an appropriate indoor place, such as a prayer table, to create a focal point where your family or friends can gather. Use an image or an indoor statue of Mary and add a few flowers or a candle. It doesn’t need to be perfect; simplicity is beautiful.
Invite Others
Try this devotion with your own family or invite others to join you! When Judy moved into a new area shortly after the pandemic, she joined a small group in her parish and found a steady group of friends. She took a chance they would be interested in joining her for this personal reenactment from her childhood, and everyone was delighted to participate!
Prepare the Crown
Whether you’re preparing to crown an outdoor statue or a small indoor Mary, there are many online tutorials for creating a flower crown, ranging from the very simple to elaborate. You can use some floral wire and small blooms, or keep it very simple with paper flowers and a cardboard base.
If you’re preparing with children, consider making the crown as a family, giving everyone something to choose from or assist with. Take time to talk with them about Mary, pointing out how we’re offering something lovely to her as a sign of our love. Maybe invite them to share what they think a crown means and why we honor Mary as Queen of Heaven.
Plan a Short, Prayerful Ceremony
There is an abundance of various May Crowning programs available online, but consider what’s appropriate for you and your guests. A May Crowning at home works best when it’s simple and focused. Aim for about 10–20 minutes, especially if you have younger children.
Judy created her own outline, combining her childhood memories with her small group traditions. Since she’d recently studied about Our Lady of Fatima, she incorporated an opportunity to share details about the Marian apparition. She also selected her favorite popular Marian songs to play.
A sample program for a May Crowning might include:
- Begin with a Marian hymn or simple prayer.
- Read a short scripture passage related to Mary.
- Offer a brief reflection or teaching on Mary.
- Sing as you gather around the Mary statue.
- Place the crown on Mary’s head.
- End with prayer and (perhaps) a final song.
Invite Everyone to Participate
Make people feel included by inviting them to contribute or participate in a meaningful way. If you’re doing this with children, invite them into the planning, asking their favorite Marian devotion, song, image, or prayer — and find ways to incorporate those suggestions.
Provide a vase of simple cut flowers, such as carnations, at the entrance and invite each guest to carry a stem as they process outside and lay the flowers at the base of the statue, or place them back in the vase. Children are much more engaged when they have a role to play. You might invite a younger child to carry the crown and an older child to lead a prayer or reading. Teens can help with music or reflections.
After your May Crowning, consider continuing the spirit of the moment with something joyful and simple. Socialize over a small spread of snacks, such as coffee cake, blueberry muffins, fruit, or cupcakes.
A Final Encouragement
Your May Crowning doesn’t need to be a big affair; don’t expect perfection. Mary is not looking for an elaborate display. Even the smallest effort becomes something beautiful in God’s hands. In honoring our Blessed Mother, you are inviting her presence more deeply into your home, and that beautiful gift lasts beyond the month of May.
Copyright 2026 Shelly Henley Kelly
Images: Canva; Holy Cross Family Ministries, all rights reserved.