But for many of us, this tradition feels unfamiliar.
What Is a May Crowning?
A May Crowning is a Catholic devotion that honors Mary, the Mother of God, as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Usually held in parishes, schools, or small faith groups during the month of May, the ceremony involves the crowning of a statue of Mary with flowers—often by a child or young person. Hymns are sung, prayers are said, and a simple yet profound gesture is made: we place a crown upon our Mother.
It's not just about a bouquet of flowers—it’s about offering your whole heart to a mother who sees you and loves you deeply.
Vicki admits she’s never been to a May Crowning. I only experienced it because of my involvement in the Legion of Mary, where I once led a crowning ceremony after a very emotional Mother’s Day—one that marked the beginning of a deep family trauma. That experience left a lasting imprint on my heart.
Why May? Why Mary?
The tradition of honoring Mary in May is centuries old. Spring, with its promise of new life, is a fitting backdrop for celebrating the one who bore Life itself—Jesus Christ. As Mother’s Day falls in May, it’s also the perfect opportunity to reflect not just on our earthly mothers, but on Mary’s motherhood, Her presence in our lives, and Her love for us.
In the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, the fifth and final mystery is The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. That spiritual mystery becomes visible in the earthly act of a May Crowning. It’s a glimpse into heaven—a foretaste of the honor Mary now receives eternally.
The Emotional Landscape of Motherhood
Let’s be honest: not every woman feels joyful when May and Mother's Day arrive.
For some, motherhood feels exhausting. For others, it’s a dream still unfulfilled. Many carry the pain of strained relationships with their own mothers. And still others grieve the loss of children, fertility, or the vision of motherhood they once held. May can stir up deep emotions—confusion, sorrow, anger, inadequacy.
Bringing Back the Tradition of the May Crowning Matters.
Mary knows our pain. She understands loss, rejection, and sorrow. That’s why, later this month, we’ll be reflecting on Our Lady of Sorrows—because even in the joy of spring, we need to make room for grief. Through it all Mary is there for us. When we focus on Mary through this time old tradition, we unite ourselves with Her, the Perfect Mother.
Motherhood Isn’t All Roses
One quote from Vicki in this week's podcast episode struck me deeply:
"We think something's going wrong if there's sorrow in motherhood—but that isn’t the case."
So many of us think we’re failing because this vocation doesn’t always feel good. But Mary's life shows us that sorrow and joy can coexist. Her “YES” to God led Her to the Cross before it led Her to the Crown. Her queenship was earned through her suffering—her steadfast love through every twist and turn of God’s plan.
If you’re carrying pain this May, know this: you are not alone.
And you’re not “doing it wrong.” You are simply living the path that countless women, saints, and mamas before you have walked—sometimes limping, sometimes weeping, but always held.
A Time to Reconnect
In our podcast episode, Vicki and I also got real about how much we’ve changed over the years. We laughed about the chaos of our early parenting days—like the time Vicki accidentally left a child at Walmart while wrangling 10 kids into a van. (Don’t worry, the child got a balloon and apple pie from the manager.)
But beyond the humor, there’s a real truth: we were overwhelmed and didn’t always know what we were doing. We didn’t yet have the tools for emotional processing, mindset awareness, or even language around thoughts and beliefs.
The Gift of Catholic Coaching
Now, with years of lived experience and the gift of Catholic coaching, we understand more deeply that our thoughts matter, our feelings have a place, and God meets us in all of it. That’s part of what
Cycles and Sanctity is all about—helping women reconnect to their body, their cycle, their emotions, and their faith.
Let Mary Meet You Where You Are
If May feels heavy, let it be holy. Bring your joys and your sorrows to Mary. Whether you’re thriving, barely surviving, or somewhere in between—there’s a crown of grace waiting for you.
Mary is not a distant queen. She is a mother who leans in.
You don’t need a perfect life to approach her. You don’t even need a May Crowning ceremony. You can do it in your home—with your children, with a few wildflowers, or just in prayer. Say the Rosary. Light a candle. Whisper, “Be a mother to me now.”
She will.
A Personal Invitation
If you are a Catholic woman navigating motherhood, cycles, infertility, body image, or just the everyday weariness of life, I want to invite you to go deeper. Sometimes we need a guide, a sister, a coach to walk with us.
That’s why we’re here.
If something in this blog spoke to your heart, I invite you to reach out. Let’s talk. Let’s pray. Let’s heal together. Mary is already interceding—we’re just here to help you listen.
Let’s Reclaim the Crown
Let this May be the month you reclaim your peace, your dignity, and your devotion.
Honor Our Lady. Honor your journey.
Place the crown not just on Mary’s head—but on your own, as a beloved daughter of the King and a woman worthy of rest, healing, and joy.
Ready to take the next step?
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then Most Gracious Advocate, Thine eyes of Mercy towards us
And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Th womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Amen.