Bring flowers of the rarest, bring blossoms the fairest
From garden and woodland, hillside and dale;
Our full hearts are swelling, our glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest Flower of the vale.
So goes the first verse of the beautiful old Marian hymn Bring Flowers of the Rarest. It evokes images of a familiar sight: children bringing flowers to crown a statue of Our Lady in a church or perhaps an outdoor Marian garden or grotto.
Many parishes hold an annual “May Crowning” this month to honor Our Lady, who is indeed the most beautiful, the rarest, the loveliest flower of them all.
A beautiful statue of Our Lady, crowned with flowers
Why do we honor Mary in May? Where did this devotion start?
Devotion to Mary during the month of May is such a time-honored tradition in the Church that it’s hard to trace its origins with precision, but we can definitely point to a few things.
One historical precursor is the medieval tradition of the “Tricesimum,” also called “Lady Month.” This was a 30-day devotion to Mary that usually took place from August through September.
Another important development came at the end of the 18th century, when a priest of the Jesuit College in Rome began the practice of dedicating the month of May to Mary as an antidote to poor morals among the students. The other Jesuit Colleges took up this practice and it spread to the whole Church. Subsequent popes have since encouraged May devotions among the faithful.
It just seems intuitive to honor Mary during the height of springtime. It’s the time of new life, when the beauty of nature is unfurling, the gardens are bursting with flowers, the weather is lovely, and the earth seems to make itself into a palace fit for a queen.
Death entered the world in a garden, through the hand of Eve, whose name means “mother of all the living.” Life entered the world again through Mary, the new Eve, the true Mother of all those whom Christ has brought to a new life.
Our hymn continues:
O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.
O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.
Perhaps a young lady in your life is participating in a May Crowning soon. Remind her of the Queen of the May throughout the year with our Sterling Jasmine Blossom Miraculous Medal Necklace. Beautifully crafted with delicate jasmine flowers surrounding the traditional Miraculous Medal design, this piece is sure to lift her heart to Our Lady! Makes a beautiful First Communion or Confirmation gift. Available today at The Catholic Company!
