St. Mary Catholic Church hosts Ann Arbor group for "May Crowning"

Photo courtesy of St. Mary Catholic Church.

Anyone driving down West Main Street on Saturday, May 21, in the hour before noon may have wondered what the “parade” was that they saw on the sidewalk near St. Mary Church. It was indeed a special event! St. Mary’s hosted a group from Ann Arbor that is primarily Filipino who came to our little parish church to celebrate a “May Crowning.” A representative from St. Mary Church described May Crowning as "a special ceremony of love and respect for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord."

After Mass in the church, the group of 40-50 people that included young and old, many children, and a few St. Mary parishioners, moved outside and began a procession around the church block. The St. Mary Church representative described the procession. "The procession was what Catholics call a 'Eucharistic Procession' in that the Blessed Sacrament is carried by the priest in a special and prominent way under an 'ombrellino' (canopy). Four men in the procession also carried a beautiful statue of Mary. While walking, all prayed together the Rosary. When they returned to the front of the church, the children 'crowned' with flowers the statue of Mary in front of the rectory, and the whole assembly received a special blessing. How beautiful was this gathering of faith-filled brothers- and sisters-in-Christ! And how happy the people of St. Mary were to be able to share this with the whole Village!"

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.