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{{Short description|Marian devotions held in the Catholic Church in May}}
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{{Roman Catholic Mariology}}
'''May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary''' refer to special [[Marian devotions]] held in the [[Catholic Church]] during the month of May honoring [[Mary, mother of
==Origins==
A number of traditions link the month of May to Mary. [[Alfonso X of Castile|Alfonso]] in the
The origin of the conventional May devotion is still relatively unknown. Herbert Thurston identifies the seventeenth century as the earliest instance of the adoption of the custom of consecrating the month of May to the Blessed Virgin by special observances.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15459a.htm Thurston, Herbert. "Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 1 May 2013]</ref> It is certain that this form of Marian devotion began in Italy. Around 1739, witnesses speak of a particular form of Marian devotion in May in Grezzano near [[Verona]]. In 1747 the Archbishop of Genoa recommended the May devotion as a devotion for the home.<ref name=kuppers>[http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/questions/yq2/yq367.html Küppers, Kurt. ''Marienlexikon'', Vol 4, p. 244-246, Augsburg]</ref> Specific prayers for them were promulgated in Rome in 1838. <ref>''Maiden and Mother: Prayers, Hymns, Devotions'' by Margaret Miles 2001 {{ISBN|0-86012-305-7}} page 87</ref>
According to [[Frederick_George_Holweck|Frederick Holweck]], the May devotion in its present form originated at Rome where Father Latomia of the Roman College of the [[Society of Jesus]], to counteract infidelity and immorality among the students, made a vow at the end of the eighteenth century to devote the month of May to Mary. From Rome, the practice spread to the other Jesuit colleges and thence to nearly every Catholic church of the Latin rite.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10542a.htm Holweck, Frederick. "Special Devotions for Months." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 10. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 1 May 2013]</ref> In Rome by 1813, May devotions were held in as many as twenty churches. From Italy, May devotions soon spread to France. In Belgium, the May devotions, at least as a private devotion, were already known by 1803. The tradition of honoring Mary in a month-long May devotion spread eventually around the Roman Catholic world in the
==May devotions==
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[[File:BanholtLourdesgrotroazekranswkped08.jpg|thumb|250px|Marian devotion of Rosary]]
There is no firm structure as to the content of a May devotion. It usually includes the singing of Marian anthems, readings from scriptures, and a [[sermon]]
The last devotion on May 31 is often followed by a solemn procession, during which a statue or portrait of the Virgin Mary is carried back into the church. Some May devotions may take place outside or in
===Family Devotions===
One particular practice characteristic of May devotions is the May Altar, whether in a church or as a "[[house altar]]" in the home. Marian devotions such as the rosary may take place within the family around this altar consisting of a table with a Marian picture, candles, and decorated with many May flowers The custom of the May Altar stems from southern European countries. With the development of May Altars in churches, the custom spread to set up this type of "altar" also in the home.<ref>[http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/questions/yq2/yq369.html Küppers, p. 243-244]</ref>
This specific devotion has been supported
* ''The custom of the family recitation of the Holy Rosary is a most efficacious means. What a sweet sight
===May Devotions by 30 family groups===
{{no references|section|date=June 2021}}
May devotions flourished across the world in the later part of nineteenth century. Eastern Churches had very colourful celebrations. Soon families gathered and had identified them for thirty days of the month, and the 31st day was celebrated by the entire village or town. Records show that in 1922 the Churches of [[Maravankudieruppu]], the capital Church of Vaenaadu Catholics, and [[Kamanayakkanpatti]], the Capital Church of Paandiyaa Kingdom Catholics have started the May Devotion by 30 family groups. The practice was followed by many churches in the country and in 1950s almost all the Churches in Indian Union started celebrating May Devotions by 30 family groups.
==Mary, Queen of May ==
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While May devotions may differ in various countries, the Marian title "Queen of May" exists in several countries as manifested in Marian songs. In English speaking countries such as England, Ireland and the United States a Marian hymn uses the following text:
{{quote|''Hail Virgin, dearest Mary! Our lovely Queen of May! O spotless, blessed Lady, Our lovely Queen of May. Your children, humbly bending, Surround your shrine
{{quote|''Maria Maienkönigin, wir kommen dich zu grüßen. O holde Freudenspenderin, sieh uns zu deinen Füßen.''<br>(Mary, Queen of May, we come to greet you. O dear donor of joy, look at us at your feet.)<ref>clamu.dyndns.org/klassik/Kirchenlieder/Maria_Maienkonigin.html</ref>}}
Another similar song greets Mary, the queen of May, who is greeted by the month of May.<ref>"Maria, Maienkönigin, dich will der Mai begrüßen. O segne ihn mit holdem Sinn ..." kirchensite.de/?myELEMENT=112087
Another well-known Marian "Queen of May" song ends with the words:
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* ''Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.''
* ''O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,''
* ''Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May''.<ref>
===May crownings===
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Parishes and private groups often process and crown an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary with flowers. This often is referred to as a “May Crowning.” This rite may be done on solemnities and feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or other festive days, and offers the Church a chance to reflect on Mary’s role in the history of salvation.<ref name=lewis>[http://www.pastoralliturgy.org/resources/0703CrowningImageOfBVM.php Lewis, Suzaanne M. "Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary", ''Pastoral Liturgy'']</ref> In some countries, it takes place on or about May 1, however, in many United States Catholic parishes, it frequently takes place on Mother's Day.
The custom fell out of vogue in many places during the
Today, May crownings occur in many Roman Catholic parishes and homes with the crowning of a statue of Mary. There is considerable flexibility regarding the rite, and it can be adapted to many different circumstances and situations depending on whether the crowning is done in a parish, a school or classroom, or even in the family. The rite may consist of hymns, prayers, and perhaps an act of consecration to Our Lady.<ref name=mcnamara>[http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/may-crownings-of-maryMcNamara, Edward. "May Crownings of Mary", ''Zenit'', May 6, 2008]</ref>
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{{Main|Flores de Mayo}}
In the [[Philippines]]
The celebration is highlighted by the ''[[Santacruzan]]'',
The ''Santacruzan'' custom in the Philippines is thus a fusion of both the May Marian devotions and celebrations surrounding [[Roodmas]], which was once
In 1853, May devotions arrived in [[Lithuania]]. It is thought that they were introduced in [[Samogitia]] by the initiative of bishop [[Motiejus Valančius]]. Later, at the end of the century the May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary began to be sung in [[Vilnius]].
May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary are also called Mojava. They are sung not only in churches, but also in the homes of the faithful,
Mojava are also sung during the opening celebration of the Museum of Samogitian village.
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==Mary Gardens==
{{Main|Mary garden}}
Floral imagery from scripture and nature has been applied to Mary in the writings of the Church Fathers and in the liturgy, providing the foundation in tradition for the subsequent naming of hundreds of flowers for Mary's life, mysteries, virtues, excellences and divine prerogatives in the popular religious folk traditions of the medieval countrysides
In the East floral gardens were introduced especially for the floral decorations for Mother Mary in May. Portuguese relations with Thamizh Naadu (now a part of Indian Union) started May Devotions in the seventeenth century and Catholic families started developing Floral Gardens in every home. European flowering plants were introduced in India during this time. Ezha Maarthandan Thirupappur, a Catholic crown prince of Ezhasa Naadu who was heading an Army in the name of Mother Mary has written that 'the celebrations of Mother Mary dominated that of our Lord Jesus, and hence June Devotion for our Lord had to be fiercely implemented'. He also has written that he had to curtail some of the programs associated with May Devotions in Ezhasa Naadu and his parent Kingdom Vaenaadu.
== See also ==
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* [[Queen of Heaven]]
* [[Canonical coronation]]s
* ''[[Oktav]],'' double-octave in honour of our Lady of Luxembourg
==References==
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