Leah Gonya, a 5th grade student at Immaculate Conception School, had the honor of crowning the Virgin Mary as the Queen of May. (Photo by D’Arcy Patrick Egan)

The May Crowning as the “Queen of May” is a traditional Roman Catholic ritual held around the world during the month of May, and at Immaculate Conception Church last Friday.

It is a solemn procession, and at the close of the procession a statue of the Blessed Virgin is crowned with a garland or crown of flowers honoring Mary as the “Queen of May.” There is a special honor attached to being chosen to crown the statue.

Immaculate Conception School students were invited to bring flowers for the May Crowning of the Virgin Mary, an annual tradition. (Photo by D’Arcy Patrick Egan)

Immaculate Conception School has had a long standing tradition of crowning Mary on the first Friday of May, A celebration is planned by the 5th grade class, but also features 2nd graders as they just made their first communion last weekend.

This year 5th grader Aleah Gonya was chosen to crown Mary, with Calleigh Fought and Ella Lynd being on the crowning court.  All the students of ICS were invited to bring flowers to present them before the statue of Mary at the beginning of Holy Mass.