Mary Queen of the May

May is an important month in the Catholic faith, as it is a time when many devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary are made. It isn't uncommon for the Virgin Mary to be recognized as the "Queen of the May" during this month. Devotions to the Virgin Mary are also known as Marian devotions.

It is common for Roman Catholics to take part in "crowning" ceremonies throughout May. During these ceremonies, flower crowns are placed on statues of Mary.

Here are the lyrics to the song or hymn "Bring Flowers of the Rarest: Queen of the May" and an example of a crowning ceremony.

Mary Queen of the May

Bring flowers of the fairest
Bring flowers of the rarest
From garden and woodland
And hillside and vale
Our full hearts are swelling
Our Glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest
Rose of the vale
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
Our voices ascending,
In harmony blending
Oh! Thus may our hearts turn
Dear Mother, to thee
Oh! Thus shall we prove thee
How truly we love thee
How dark without Mary
Life's journey would be
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
O Virgin most tender
Our homage we render
Thy love and protection
Sweet Mother, to win
In danger defend us
In sorrow befriend us
And shield our hearts
From contagion and sin
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
Of Mothers the dearest
Oh, wilt thou be nearest
When life with temptation
Is darkly replete
Forsake us, O never
Our hearts be they ever
As Pure as the lilies
We lay at thy feet
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May
O Mary! we crown thee with blossoms today
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May

  On April 29, 1965, Pope Paul VI wrote in his encyclical that May was a time to present special devotions to Mary. 

The site: Salve Maria Regina has information on hymns and devotions for those who want to pay special devotion to Mary, Queen of Heaven, during May.

'Tis the Month of Our Mother
'Tis the month of our Mother,
The blessed and beautiful days,
When our lips and our spirits
Are glowing with love
and with praise.
CHORUS: All hail to dear Mary,
The Guardian of our way.
To the fairest of all Queens
Be the fairest of seasons, sweet May.
Oh what peace to Her children
'Mid sorrows and trials to know,
That the love of their Mother
Hath ever a solace for woe.

UDayont has a wonderful resource for those looking for ways to honor Mary titled "May, Mary's Month, Marian Coronation."