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St. Joseph Catholic Church

1875 S C R 700 W
North Vernon, IN 47265

Rev. Jonathan P. Meyer, Administrator

Office Hours:

Monday Office closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 AM till 12:30 PM

St. Joseph Rectory Phone: 812-346-4783
Fax: 812-352-9033

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Why do we honor Mary in May?

The month of May has been traditionally considered the season of the beginning of new life; already in Greek culture, May was dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of fecundity. In Roman culture, May was dedicated to Flora, the goddess of bloom, of blossoms. The Romans celebrated ludi florales (literally: floral games) at the end of April, asking the intercession of the goddess Flora for all that blooms in May.
In the Christian era, these ideas were applied to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since medieval times, we have had the combination between Mary and the month of May. This custom originated in Italy. Mary who was a mother, Mary who brought forth new and eternal life, Mary who is as pure as a lily…Mary and the month of May seem to fit together perfectly.

Why do we crown a statue of Mary?

The queen symbol was attributed to Mary because she is a perfect follower of Christ, who is the absolute “crowning” of creation: ~She is the Mother of the Son of God, who is a King. Mary is the Mother of Christ, the Word incarnate. ... "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." Luke 1:32-33 ... Elizabeth greeted the Blessed Virgin, pregnant with Jesus, as "the Mother of my Lord. "Luke 1:41-43. ~She is the perfect follower of Christ. The maid of Nazareth consented to God's plan; she journeyed on the pilgrimage of faith; she listened to God's word and kept it in her heart; she remained in close union with her Son, all the way to the foot of the cross; she persevered in prayer with the Church. Thus in an eminent way she won the "crown of righteousness," 2 Timothy 4:8, the "crown of life," James 1:12, the "crown of glory" 1 Peter 5:4, that is promised to those who follow Christ. In the United States, a custom developed, in parishes, at Marian shrines, and at grottos, someone was chosen to place a wreath of flowers on Mary's image. This ceremony usually took place in May and often in the context of, a special Rosary celebration, and sometimes at the closing of Mass. This was an innovative way to express their reverence for the dignity of Mary, the Mother of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Order of Crowning, the official, liturgical text for Crowning states the crowning should be carried out by the diocesan bishop or delegate. It may take place at any time of the year, fittingly on solemnities and feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary or on other festive days. The Order of Crowning also states, "....it should be noted that it is proper to crown only those images to which the faithful come with a confidence in the Mother of the Lord so strong that the images are of great renown. For a sufficient period before the celebration of the rite, the faithful should be instructed on its meaning and purely religious nature... The crown ... should be fashioned out of material of a kind that will symbolize the singular dignity of the Blessed Virgin." Mary's prayers for us are important and we need them so we too might one day receive the "crown of glory."