Honouring the Virgin Mary

St. Philip Benizi's First Communicants participate in the Crowning of Mary

Conventual Franciscan Friar Greg Hartmeyer – pastor of St. Philip Benizi Parish in Jonesboro, Georgia – took part in a Crowning of Mary Ceremony last month at his parish. The ceremony happened on a Saturday after morning Mass. Other friars, members of the Legion of Mary as well as First Communicants were also involved in the ceremony, which saw St. Philip Benizi’s Mary, Our Lady of the Streets, receive a wreath of flowers on her head.

The Virgin Mary receives her wreath of flowers

Celebrations in honour of the Virgin Mary began long ago in Italy and spread to nations with Roman Catholic populations. The tradition to honour the Virgin Mary arrived in the United States before the Second Vatican Council and as can be seen from photos taken at the St. Philip Benizi celebration continues to thrive today.

St. Philip Benizi parishioners

(Source of all related photos on webpage and homepage: St. Philip Be-News-Zi.)