20 April 2007
As May has traditionally been celebrated as a Marian month, your parish might wish to review the Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1, published in Rome on 25 March 1981. The approved English translation was released 24 March 1987. The document is now published by Catholic Book Publishing, and is available from their web site for $11.95.2 As always, any liturgical music chosen for the rite should be in keeping with the liturgical season in which the order is celebrated. The order does direct that closing songs may be Marian.
The Introduction reads:
1. Holy Mother the Church has on many occasions asserted that it is lawful to venerate images of Christ, his Mother, and the saints and has often instructed the faithful on the proper understanding of such veneration.
2. Coronation is one form of reverence frequently shown to images of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But in the case of images depicting the Mother of God holding her Son in her arms, there is a crowning of both figures: in the rite, the crown is placed on the Son’s head first, then on the Mother’s.
9. The rite of crowning is fittingly held on solemnities and feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary or on other festive days. But the rite is not to be held on the principal solemnities of the Lord or on days having a penitential character.
10. Depending on circumstances, the crowning of an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary may take place within Mass, within the liturgy of the hours at evening prayer, or within a celebration of the word of God suited to the occasion.
1 - The book:
Order of Crowning an Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary
© United States Catholic Conference
1312 Massachusetts Avenue, N. W.
Washington, D.D. 20005-4105
All rights reserved
can be ordered from:
2 - Catholic Book Publishing Corp.
77 West End Rd.
Totowa, NJ 07512
Order Here
Outline of the Rite with Mass
I. Liturgy of the Word
Everything up to and including the Gospel reading is done as usual. The homily is given in which the priest explains both the biblical readings and the maternal and regal role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the mystery of the Church.
II. Rite of Crowning
Thanksgiving and Invocation
Crowning
General Intercessions
III. Liturgy of the Eucharist
Antiphon or Song
After Mass an appropriate antiphon or song in honor or Mary is sung
Outline of Rite within Evening Prayer
I. Brief Instruction
Evening prayer begins in the usual way. After the opening verse, response, and Glory to the Father, and before the hymn, the priest may give a brief instruction.
II. Psalmody
III. Reading
IV. Homily
V. Responsory
V. Rite of Crowning
Thanksgiving and Invocation
Crowning
Canticle of Mary
General Intercessions
Lord’s Prayer
VI. Concluding Prayer
Outline of the Rite within a Celebration of the Word of God
I. Introductory Rites
Entrance Song
Greeting
Brief Instruction
Opening Prayer
II. Reading of the Word of God
Readings
Homily
III. Rite of Crowning
Thanksgiving and Invocation
Crowning
Litany or Intercessions
IV. Blessing and Dismissal
V. Antiphon or Song