By Elizabeth Landry, staff writer
It was a gloomy, rainy day following a week straight of drizzly spring weather in Syracuse. But on May 7, the May Crowning took place inside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, warming the hearts of those gathered with a reminder of why we honor Mary each year during May.
We honor Mary “as queen of heaven and earth”, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia said during the homily. “In Mary, we have one who heard God’s word and kept it.”
This May Crowning took on special significance, as well, due to May 7 also being the day the conclave began in the Vatican, which would eventually result in the selection of Pope Leo XIV.
Bishop recalled how Mary prayed that God would come to dwell among us and work through us via the Holy Spirit. “Isn’t that our prayer at this particular hour? We still don’t know the color of the smoke for today yet, but isn’t that the prayer that is at the heart of the church today? With Mary, who prays with us, that God’s Holy Spirit will not just work in the Cardinal electors, but work through each one of us. And if that happens, isn’t that our crowning glory?”
Three students from Blessed Sacrament School in Syracuse assisted Bishop: Freddy served as lector, reading from Isaiah 9:1-6, and Sam performed the duties of altar server. Natalie carefully placed the beautiful crown of blue and white flowers on the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Following the crowning, Bishop led the faithful gathered in a litany followed by a decade of the Rosary. The service ended with the triumphant hymn, “Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above.”
