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A Catholic May Crowning is a traditional devotion wherein a statue or image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is crowned with a wreath of flowers. Typically this is done on May 1st, which is also known as May Day, but this can also be done anytime during the month of May which is dedicated to Mary. This ceremony is a way for all of us to honor Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Earth and to express our love and devotion to her as our Mother. Keep in mind that there is no official rite for a May Crowning within the home, classroom, or with a group. I have compiled this ceremony from various May Crownings that I have been to and felt were reverent, prayerful, and honoring of our Blessed Mother. Feel free to adapt and adopt what you need to for the needs of your household or group. Often a May Crowning will include prayers, hymns, Scripture readings, and reflections on the role of Mary in the life of the Church and in the lives of individual believers. And it is often accompanied by the recitation of the Rosary or other Marian prayers. Performing a May Crowning ceremony at home or with a group can be a beautiful way to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially during the month of May. Here's a general outline of how you can do it: 1. Preparation: Choose a suitable location for the ceremony, such as a prayer corner, garden, or a room with a small altar. Gather a statue or picture of the Blessed Virgin Mary to crown. You can also decorate the area with flowers, candles, tablecloth, a crucifix, and any other symbols of devotion to Mary. Create a crown for Mary using real or artificial flowers. I have a step by step tutorial for making a real flower crown which you can watch in this video. Click the button below. I also have an heirloom crown that you can purchase here. Decide on whether or not you will incorporate a short procession. Print the prayers, hymns, and reflections that you would like the group to follow along with. Invite family members or friends to participate in the ceremony. 2. Selecting Participants: Choose someone to lead the prayers and Scripture readings. This could be a family member, a friend, or yourself. Select individuals to participate in the crowning. This could include children, family members, or friends. 3. Order of the Ceremony: Start together by taking a moment a silence to center yourself, your group, and your family for this time of prayer. Use the place where you will be crowning Mary as a focal point. The leader can begin with an opening prayer, asking for God's blessing on the ceremony and for Mary's intercession. Here are some examples: O Blessed Mother of God and our Mother too, protect our families and all the children of the world, especially the poor, hungry, and helpless. Teach us to remember that we are all brothers and sisters, children of God, now and forever. O God, who have been pleased to gladden the world By the Resurrection of you Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Grant, we pray, that through his Mother, the Virgin Mary, We may receive the joys of everlasting life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen. As a group, recite the Rosary or a selection of Marian prayers. You can include prayers such as the Hail Mary, the Memorare, or the Hail Holy Queen. Let one of the participants read a passage from the Bible that honors Mary, such as the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) or the Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12). Optional: Someone can offer a brief reflection on the Scripture reading or a few thoughts for the group to consider. Sing or recite hymns dedicated to Mary, such as "Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above" or "Immaculate Mary." If you have a procession, carry the statue or picture of Mary to the designated spot while singing or reciting one of the hymns mentioned above. Once at the spot, offer the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Litany: Leader reads the title of Mary, the family members or group responds with “Pray for us!” Queen of Angels. . . Queen of Patriarchs and prophets. . . Queen of Apostles and martyrs. . . Queen of Confessors and virgins. . . Queen of all saints. . . Queen conceived without sin. . . Queen assumed into heaven. . . Queen of the Rosary. . . Queen of Peace. . . Leader: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. Group: That we may become worthy of the promises of Christ. Crown the statue or picture of Mary with a wreath of flowers. You can use real or artificial flowers for the crown. Conclude with the Consecration to Mary prayer, or another final prayer, and another Marian hymn. Encourage participants to spend some time in personal prayer or reflection. Remember to adapt the ceremony to suit the preferences and traditions of your group, and feel free to include any additional prayers or rituals that are meaningful to you. The most important thing is to approach the ceremony with reverence and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I pray that you were able to gather helpful ideas for bringing this time-honored tradition into your home. Tell me how it went in the comments or by sharing pictures with me on Facebook or Instagram.

The Essential Meaning of Holy Thursday Holy Thursday, also known as Maundy Thursday, is a significant day in the Church's liturgical calendar. It gets the name maundy from the Latin word "mandatum" which also means "commandment." In John 13:34-35 Jesus says, "a new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” In this way Jesus prepares us for what is to come, His death, and a life in which He will no longer be physically present on earth, but present through us, His Church. With that in mind Jesus institutes the Eucharist, shows us how to serve by washing the feet of his Apostles, and institutes the priesthood. All of these actions are essential components that we need to be united with Him through the sacraments and one another, this is what establishes the Church. We hear the words of the Last Supper at every Mass, "do this in memory of me," and not as in remember, but to be re-membered with Jesus' own body and that of the Church as the body of Christ. Liturgically Speaking Holy Thursday also concludes the end of Lent and the start of the Paschal Triduum which also embraces Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and concludes on the evening of Easter Sunday. It is a time of solemn reflection on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By commemorating the events of Holy Thursday, we prepare ourselves spiritually for the remembrance of Jesus' crucifixion and his ultimate triumph over death. Holy Thursday Liturgy Highlights 1. The Last Supper: Holy Thursday marks the occasion of the Last Supper, where Jesus gathered with his disciples to celebrate the Passover meal. During this meal, Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist by consecrating bread and wine, saying, "This is my body" and "This is my blood." He instructed his disciples to "do this in memory of me," and this establishing the practice of the Eucharist. 2. The Institution of the Priesthood: At the Last Supper, Jesus also washed the feet of his disciples, demonstrating acts of humility and service. This symbolizes Jesus' call to his followers to serve one another in love. Furthermore, it serves as a model for the priesthood, emphasizing the importance of humility and service in their ministry and vocation. 3. The Agony in the Garden: After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. It was here that he experienced intense anguish and distress, knowing the suffering and crucifixion that awaited him. Jesus' prayer in the garden reflects his submission to the will of God and serves as an example of surrender and trust in God's plan, even in the face of great suffering. This is where the tradition of visiting seven churches began and if you scroll down you can see more about that. 4. Altar of Repose: The altar of repose is an altar other than the main altar where the consecrated host is kept for adoration and reserved for use on Good Friday. Traditionally, the congregation will process to this altar towards the end of the Holy Thursday Mass to spend time in reflection and adoration with Jesus just as he asks his apostles to stay awake and keep watch with him. Notice that the liturgy didn't conclude? See the next point! 5. Start of a Three Day Liturgy: One of the interesting elements to the Holy Thursday liturgy is that there is no dismissal or final blessing. That is because the Paschal Triduum liturgy begins on Holy Thursday, but it doesn't until Easter Sunday. Are you thinking, that's four days? Let me clear that up for you. The Paschal Triduum is one liturgical celebration that encompasses three days. Beginning on Holy Thursday and ending the evening of Easter Sunday. You may be thinking, that's four, 1) Thursday, 2) Friday, 3) Saturday, 4) Sunday. Remember, the Church counts these days liturgically, so the “day” begins the evening before. Just as we read in Genesis, “evening came, and morning followed, the first day." Day 1: Thursday evening to Friday evening Day 2: Friday evening to Saturday evening Day 3: Saturday evening to Sunday evening The Origin Story Tradition says that the "Seven Churches" visited by St. Philip Neri and his friends were the seven ancient basilicas in Rome. These basilicas are considered significant sites in the history of Christianity and some Catholics even associate a meditation with each church and a scripture passage. Church One 1. St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano): Located in Vatican City, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the largest and most important churches in the world. It is built over the traditional burial site of Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles and the first pope according to Catholic tradition. Reflection: Recall Jesus going from the Last Supper to His agony in the garden. Scripture: Luke 22: 39-46 Church Two 2. St. Paul Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura): This basilica is located outside the ancient walls of Rome and is dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle. It is said to be built over the burial site of Saint Paul. Reflection: Recall Jesus being taken out of the garden by the guards and crowd to the house of Annas where He is interrogated. Scripture: John 18:19-22 Church Three 3. St. John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano): Officially known as the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist at the Lateran, this basilica is the cathedral church of Rome and is considered the mother church of all Roman Catholic churches worldwide. Reflection: Recall Jesus being held captive in the house of Caiaphas where he is beaten and ridiculed. Scripture: Matthew 26:63-65 Church Four 4. St. Mary Major (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore): Also known as the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, this church is one of the four major basilicas in Rome and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is one of the oldest churches dedicated to Mary in the Western world. Reflection: Recall Jesus being brought before Pontius Pilate. Scripture: John 18:35-37 Church Five 5. St. Lawrence Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura): This basilica is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, a deacon in the early Christian Church who was martyred during the persecution of Emperor Valerian. It is one of the seven pilgrimage churches of Rome. Reflection: Recall Jesus being taken before King Herod where he is mocked and abused. Scripture: Luke 23: 8-9;11 Church Six 6. Holy Cross in Jerusalem (Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme): This basilica is located in Rome and is known for containing relics purportedly from the Holy Land, including soil from Jerusalem. Reflection: Recall Jesus being brought before Herod a second time where he is scourged and crowned with thorns. Scripture: Matthew 27: 22-26 Church Seven 7. St. Sebastian Outside the Walls (Basilica di San Sebastiano fuori le Mura): This basilica is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, a Christian martyr who was killed during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Reflection: Recall Christ carrying his cross and enduring a painful death. Scripture: Matthew 27: 27-31 Prayer Recommendations Overall, Holy Thursday is a day of profound significance for us, as it commemorates the foundational events of our faith, including the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, as well as Jesus' selfless example of service and his obedience to the will of God unto death. It is a time for reflection, prayer, and deepening one's commitment to following Christ's teachings of love, humility, and self-sacrifice. I pray that you have a blessed Paschal Triduum! If you participated in the seven churches tradition, share your experience with me so that I can share with others. Let's be a helpful inspiration to one another. You can tag me on Facebook here, or on Instagram here.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It's a time of reflection and celebration for Catholics as we seek to draw closer to Jesus in his passion, death, and resurrection. Engaging children in crafts related to this significant event can help them understand its importance in a hands-on, interactive way. In this blog post, we'll explore a sweet craft idea to make palm branches with the most precious palms of our children. My stencil hand print craft will surely create a memorable Palm Sunday for the entire family. Craft Supplies Needed: Construction paper (preferably green, but you can use any color) Scissors Pencil Tape Craft stick or popsicle stick (if you don't have this on hand you can use any stick like object like a plastic knife, paper towel roll, or a stick from outside) Washable markers or crayons for writing and drawing Instructions: Step 1: Prepare the Materials Gather all the necessary materials listed above. Ensure that you have enough space to work comfortably with the children, covering the area with newspapers or a protective sheet to prevent mess from the markers. Step 2: Trace Hands Have the children trace their hands 5-6 times. You may need to help them keep their hand in place or move the pencil around their fingers. Step 3: Cut Hand Prints Depending on the child's age, they may need assistance with this step. Once traced, carefully cut out the handprints. Step 4: Personalize the Palms Using a crayon or washable marker, personalize each palm by writing Palm Sunday phrases like "Hosanna," or prayers like "for grandma's heath," or they can draw on them. Let the creativity flow! Step 5: Assemble the Palm Branch Once all the components are ready, it's time to assemble the palm branch. Arrange the handprints in a fan-like shape to resemble palm leaves. Then, tape the palm leaf handprints to the popsicle stick or craft stick. Step 6: Play and Display Encourage the children to display their creations proudly, whether it's at home, in a classroom, or at a church event. If you do a family procession, have the children walk around waving their hand made palm branches. Creating stencil hand palm branches for Palm Sunday is a wonderful way to engage children in the observance of this important day in the liturgical calendar. Through this hands-on activity, children can learn about the symbolism of palm branches and reflect on the meaning of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem. Crafting together fosters creativity, strengthens bonds, and provides an opportunity for meaningful conversations about faith and tradition. So, gather your supplies, get creative, and enjoy making these memorable Palm Sunday crafts with your children. Did you make these? I'd love to see them! Tag His Girl Sunday on Facebook here, or Instagram here.

RESOURCES His Girl Sunday Craft Your Own Our Lady of Loreto House: A DIY Guide Add a touch of Catholic decor this Advent and Christmas season with charming paper bag houses. His Girl Sunday Our Lady of Loreto: The Enchanting Catholic Feast Day Discover the story of Our Lady of Loreto: The captivating Catholic feast day celebrated in a quaint Italian town, steeped in rich spiritual His Girl Sunday St. Nicholas Traditions Explained It's not hard to find a list of St. Nicholas feast day ideas, but do you know why we do them? Explore insightful explanations here! His Girl Sunday Advent Quick Links & Resources Enjoy this Advent liturgical living guide! It is filled with quick tips, ideas, and links to bring joy and festivity into domestic church. His Girl Sunday Picking an Advent Tradition These liturgical life traditions and customs will change your Advent! ...If you use a couple of them with intentionality. His Girl Sunday Learning to Truly Prepare for Advent Walk with me through my journey from the secular, to the busy Catholic, to truly experiencing Advent. His Girl Sunday Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: Liturgical Living for Teens! {Classroom Edition} Celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with teenagers whether your in a classroom or at home. His Girl Sunday St. Lucy Customs & the Meaning of Light! Partake in the upcoming season of light with St. Lucy, saffron buns, Christmas lights, and a brief reflection from Prince Caspian.

by His Girl Sunday IDEAS IN ACTION CELEBRATE WITH YOUR CATHOLIC VILLAGE Welcoming you into liturgical living that fosters interpersonal and story-centered Catholic heritage, identity, and tradition throughout the Church year. Inroduction My name is Steffani. I am a Catholic wife, educator, theologian, event planner, and trained ballet dancer. I specialize in the study and application of liturgical living, culture, tradition, & festivity. After growing up in a family full of seasonal experiences, I married into a big Catholic family that was overflowing with liturgical tradition. Through various seasons of life we found joy, peace, prayer, and community in the sacraments and the liturgical life of the Church. I couldn't help but want to share this with you! I welcome you into this Catholic lifestyle with me, my husband, friends, family, and community. If you are looking for more authentic ways to instill Catholic culture and tradition back into your home and your parish, then stick around for a while. My mission is to help you experience what true festivity is in all seasons of life. If the liturgy is for everyone, then a liturgical life is too. WHERE DO I BEGIN? Are you an adult Catholic looking to start a liturgical lifestyle for God, yourself, your family, and community? You've come to the right place! We strive to fill a space that was once common practice, liturgical living for all ages and with all ages. Here are some quick resources to get you started. Printable Calendar Daily Inspiration Members Corner Fun Within Reach Feeling upside down or overwhelmed? Begin with our simple guide! Get the Guide Join the Festivity Want More From His Girl Sunday? Subscribe to get recipes, liturgical living ideas, & news from Steffani right to your inbox! Email Join Our Mailing List Thanks for subscribing! Cultivate the spirit of Easter in your home and community with these timeless traditions. Culture Easter Blog Posts Find resources for building tradition and theology for living the season in my feast day writings. Great Idea! Kitchen Easter Recipes Cook and bake feast day meals and treats with me. There is a seat for you at my table. Get Cookin' Market Heirlooms & Goods Shop the curated collection and fill your home with pieces that are intended to enhance the season. Let's Shop May Crowning Ceremony at Home or With a Group Holy Thursday Meaning & Seven Churches Tradition Children's Palm Sunday Branches Desiring a liturgical life that is purposefully rooted in your Catholic identity and culture? Disclosure Connect All rights reserved. ©His Girl Sunday. Unauthorized usage and duplication of text and images without the express permission of Steffani and His Girl Sunday is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links to posts may be used as long as clear credit is given to Steffani/His Girl Sunday. Email steffani.hisgirlsunday@gmail.com Website www.HisGirlSunday.com ​ Liturgy Culture & Kitchen Liturgy Market by His Girl Sunday

His Girl Sunday Nix "Family Life Ministry" & Do This Instead Revamp your parish community! Embrace communal liturgical living, Catholic culture, and interpersonal faith connections. His Girl Sunday 5 Genuine Ways to Live Liturgically Want to end the liturgical living guess work? Browse these five, straight-forward, authentic ways to get started from the heart of my home t His Girl Sunday More Than One Way to Live Liturgically How to make your liturgical living less like a one time firework and more like a beautifully slow burning candle! His Girl Sunday Liturgical Living Burnout Liturgical living burnout got you feeling overwhelmed? Let's identify the culprits, then give you motivation for your Catholic life. His Girl Sunday Who Is Liturgical Living For? Liturgical living should engage everyone at varying ages and stages of life because tradition is an echo of the Great Feast that is Heaven. His Girl Sunday Liturgical Living for Married Couples Liturgical living is for everyone, because the rich tradition of the Catholic faith is for everyone, even for us as adults. His Girl Sunday How to Start Living Liturgically Traditions are based on things that we value or believe to be supremely good so we hope to repeat them and pass it down for generations. The His Girl Sunday The Quarantined Catholic: Unplugged Prayer, The Annunciation, & Other Resources Rejoice, friends! It's Laetare Sunday and in case quarantine has you distracted from the liturgical calendar, it's STILL Lent. Over the... His Girl Sunday You Need a Home Altar! If we are the domestic church, that means that our homes should be places that we go back to after being in the world where we find peace.