May Procession and Crowning of Our Lady
The first Saturday of each month is a day of special devotion to Our Lady. Therefore, the first Saturday of the month devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary - i.e. the month of May - is an especially important day, at least in the Anderson household.
It is the day when we dedicate and bless our Mary Garden, and process out of the house with the statue of Our Lady - which holds a place of honor in our entryway hall throughout the winter months - and into the garden to place the image of Our Blessed Mother in a place of honor amongst her plants and flowers.
This is our first May in our new house in Ohio, and therefore, the first year that we have dedicated and blessed our new Mary Garden (we had done this for the last 2 or 3 years in our previous home in Virginia). Below are some pictures from the occasion:
Jamie carries the statue of Our Lady cradling the baby Jesus, while Aidan carries a copy of Mary's Flowers, which contains a blessing for a Mary Garden. Dad looks as if he's put on a little weight since baby Mary Virginia was born - a result of all the food people have been preparing for us.(By the way, Dad is singing "Bring Flowers of the Fairest".)
Jamie places the image of the Madonna and Child just behind the garden pond.
The boys pose with Our Lady.
The image of Our Lady overlooks a small fountain trickling down into the pond.
A closer view of the statue.
A panoramic view of our Mary Garden.
posted by Pro Ecclesia 7:41 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
Wow Jay, that's real neat. We have a statue of St. Francis at home in the yard but no Mary and no procession, what a great idea!
Did you do the landscaping work and make that pond set up or was that how it was when you moved in?
We have a statue of St. Francis, too, which isn't shown. If you look at the bottom picture, it's just to the right of the bottom righthand corner of the photo.
Fortunately for me, the previous owners did the landscaping. We've added a few plants here and there, but the infrastructure was already there.
This fall, I'm going to plant some Madonna Lily bulbs just behind the statue of Our Lady. They should bloom next May/June.
Your boys are quite sweet and handsome, Jay.
We started a Mary garden the first year in our house, too. Every rose we planted, died. Now we have a climbing rose that has survived for two whole years! Our garden also has lots of baby's breath, ferns, and some other stuff that have managed to survive.
It's a very pretty garden until the children go into it to "hug" Mary (she's as big as Bridget). They tend to trample a few things in the process.
Speaking of Mary...how is your little miss Mary Virginia? Her fans need an update.
Jay, that is really cool. We have a statue of Mary (she'll be getting a shelter this year for her birthday ... don't tell!) and we are planning a May Crowning for Mother's Day. What prayer do you use for blessing the garden? It sounds like a really nice idea. You know, something we all can do.
Cute kids, Jay. Cute garden. I covet your backyard.
And I too would like to hear more about Miss Mary Virginia.
The blessing that we used from the book Mary's Flowers can also be found here - a website that is an EXCELLENT resource for Mary Gardens.
Mrs. Darwin said: "I covet your backyard."
The mesquites and prickly pears ain't doin' it for ya, huh?
thanks, Jay. I printed it out. BTW, Amy Welborn has a link to some really nice Marian hymns, for those who are still getting ready for a May crowning.
Our parish (named for Our Lady!) does not have a May Crowning. I am hoping that we can petition for one. I think it would be really nice!
I have always wanted a Mary Garden but I have the kiss of death for plants. Where did you get your Mary statue. I can't seem to afford anything larger then 8 inches. LOL
I bought my statue from this website, which offers a wide range of products, with a wide range of prices depending on size, color, and material. They're currently offering the statue I have at what I think is a fairly affordable price.
Please note that shipping will likely run you between $10-$20.
Sia Lodato Gesu Cristo E Maria !!
Thanks for the link, Jay. They do have some lovely statues, but when I think "affordable" I think more along the lines of $40 dollars. :P
"... when I think "affordable" I think more along the lines of $40 dollars."
I certainly understand that. When we bought our statue a couple of years ago (for more than what they're selling it for now), Sarah was still working. I'm not sure it's "affordable" within our current single-income budget.
In the past, I've seen some 24-inch garden statues of Our Lady offered at eBay for well under $40.
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