Pastor’s Corner for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A, by Rev. Fr. Nobert Munekani SJ
During the month of May, Catholics celebrate the crowning of Mary, where a crown is placed on Mary’s head with flowers. In the Northern Hemisphere, May is known for spring flowers, which can symbolize rebirth. In the Catholic Church, the reality of Easter and its promise of new life is often symbolized by flowers, as spring itself represents the season of growth.
Since flowers represent new life and Catholics believe Mary’s motherhood of Jesus plays a major role in the new life brought by Easter, she is honored with flowers. The tradition of the May crowning helps Catholics appreciate Mary as the Queen Mother whom we believe reigns in heaven with Jesus Christ, our King
May crowning is a traditional Catholic devotion that honors Mary in her premier title, that of the mother of Jesus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church testifies to the foundation of the tradition, which lies securely in the reverence due to the mother of God. As the whole trajectory of the Church is Marian in nature, “Mary goes before us all in the holiness that is the Church’s mystery as “the bride without spot or wrinkle,” it says. “This is why the ‘Marian’ dimension of the Church precedes the ‘Petrine'” (CCC 773).
*Mary, in the order of grace, is our advocate, a mediatrix, that is a mediator of grace. She is more present to us in heaven, crowned queen, as she is one with God now. She participates in a way that we can invoke Christ … available to us all, and everywhere. Adorning her with a crown of flowers is custom of great beauty, and recovers that beauty “not as nostalgia, but in our lives, in our own time. This beauty is accessible to all. The observance of May crowning reflects the beauty of the mystery that it evokes. Honoring Mary, crowned Queen of Heaven, and Earth is the fifth mystery of the rosary. We are presenting it physically.
A “neglected and forgotten beauty” in crowning the “image of Mary, who made room for God in this world, by her ‘Yes!’ She offered her own loving participation in God’s plan. Mary made room for Jesus, both physically and spiritually, in her womb and in her life. We can be like Mary and open our lives, welcome Jesus in, and make room for God to dwell within us.
We dedicate ourselves to her and imitate her example. She did it to the utmost. We recall the heart in which she said yes, the burning charity to be configured to God’s plan of love. We invoke her, increase our devotion to her and this is also a consolation, that she makes room for us in God’s plan, in the order of salvation. Our role is one of filial devotion.” May Mary the Queen of heaven and Earth pray for us.
For the sick
Let us continue to pray for the sick members of our parish especially Benedicta Ngwebelele, Joyce Xaba and Andrew Ledwaba.
Fr. N. Munekani SJ