Celebrating the Month of Mary

Month of Mary image

For centuries, the month of May has been dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. In his encyclical Mense Maio, Pope Paul VI wrote, "This is the month during which Christians, in their churches and their homes, offer the Virgin Mother more fervent and loving acts of homage and veneration; and it is the month in which a greater abundance of God's merciful gifts come down to us from our Mother's throne" (April 29, 1964).

During May, it is common for parishes to honor the Blessed Mother with May Crowning ceremonies, traditionally held toward the beginning of the month. Parishioners, most often children, adorn statues of Mary with crowns of flowers, which are also placed around her feet.

The month also often features additional opportunities to gather together to pray the Rosary. On May 13, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, commemorating the Blessed Mother's first appearance in Fatima, during which she urged the shepherd children to pray the Rosary every day.

In addition to the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, the month of May also includes the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost (May 29, 2023) and the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (May 31), commemorating Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who would soon give birth to St. John the Baptist.

Below, you will find a list of some of the ceremonies and prayer opportunities being held to celebrate the Month of Mary, but the month also provides an opportunity to celebrate Mary in your home or with your family. Suggestions include setting up Marian prayer corner in your home, praying a novena to Our Lady, praying the Rosary, reading a book or Scripture passages about Mary, or planting a Mary Garden, another tradition that goes back centuries.

May Crowning Ceremonies

Bangor - All are welcome to gather for a May crowning and a Mother’s “Tea and Craft Party” at St. Mary Church, located on 768 Ohio Street in Bangor, on Sunday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

East Millinocket - A May crowning ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 7, during the 10 a.m. Mass at St. Peter Church, 58 Cedar Street.

Falmouth - Children from the Parish of the Holy Eucharist will crown a statue of Mary following the Sunday, May 7, 10:30 a.m. Mass at Holy Martyrs of North America Church in Falmouth and then will participate in a procession of the Mary statue around the block near the church.

Farmington - Children will crown the Blessed Mother with a beautiful arrangement of flowers at 10:15 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, located on 133 Middle Street. The children will also participate in an opening procession at the 10:30 a.m. Mass that will culminate with their placing of flowers around the Marian statue.

Gorham - St. Anne Church, located on 299 Main Street in Gorham, will host a May crowning and Rosary on Sunday, May 7, at 9:30 a.m. The gathering will honor Mary under the Feasts of the Assumption and Crowning as Queen of Heaven. Grow in your understanding of Mary as model for our lives.

Hampden - All are welcome to gather for a May crowning and a Mother’s “Tea and Craft Party” at St. Matthew Church, located on 70 Western Avenue in Hampden, on Sunday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Jay - Children will crown the Blessed Mother with a beautiful arrangement of flowers at 8:15 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, located on 1 Church Street. The children will also participate in an opening procession at the 8:30 a.m. Mass that will culminate with their placing of flowers around the Marian statue.

Kennebunk - A May crowning will be held at the Franciscan Monastery, located on 28 Beach Avenue, on Saturday, May 6, at 1:30 p.m. The crowning will be followed by First Saturday devotions, a recitation of the Rosary, the Litany of Mary, and more. For more information, contact Suzanne at 207-351-5122 or [email protected].

Madison - Children from Christ the King Parish will crown a statue of the Blessed Mother at the beginning of the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 7, at St. Sebastian Church, 161 Main Street in Madison.

Millinocket - A crowning ceremony will be held during the 4 p.m. Mass on Saturday, May 13, at St. Martin of Tours Church, 19 Colby Street.

Old Town - A crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be held during the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 7, at Holy Family Church on 429 Main Street in Old Town.

Portland - Faith formation students from Our Lady of Hope Parish will participate in a May crowning ceremony on Sunday, May 14, following the 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue in Portland.

Scarborough - St. John Paul II Parish will hold a May crowning ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 7, at 11:30 a.m. in the Mary Courtyard outside St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road in Scarborough. In addition to the crowning of the Mary statue, the service will include prayers and hymns, and children will have the opportunity to create their own Mary Garden to take home. Everyone is welcome!

Westbrook - St. Hyacinth Church’s youth ministry and the Sodality of St. Anne invite all to a special crowning of our Blessed Mother at the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 7, at St. Hyacinth Church on 268 Brown Street in Westbrook. Please bring a flower for our Blessed Mother with you to Mass.

Rosary & Prayer Gatherings

Ashland
St. Mark Church, 113 Allen Farm Road
The Rosary will be prayed on Fridays at 8:30 a.m.

Augusta
St. Augustine Church, 75 Northern Avenue
The Rosary will be prayed at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 28, led by Knights of Columbus Council 334.

Augusta
St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 41 Western Avenue
Each Friday, adoration and confession will be held at 3:30 p.m. with Mass following at 4:30 p.m.

Augusta
St. Monica Chapel, 5 Kendall Street
The Rosary will be prayed on Mondays at 6 p.m.

Bar Harbor
Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mt. Desert Street
The Rosary will be prayed outside of the church on Saturday, May 13, at noon.

Bath
St. Mary Church, 144 Lincoln Street
The Rosary will be prayed each Saturday at 3:30 p.m. before 4 p.m. Masses.

Biddeford
St. Joseph Church, 178 Elm Street
The Rosary will be prayed in St. Anne’s Chapel each night at 6 p.m.

Biddeford
St. Joseph Cemetery, West Street
A Rosary for the unborn will be prayed on Tuesday, May 2, at 6 p.m.

Bridgton
St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street
The Rosary will be prayed on Saturdays at 9 a.m.

Brunswick
St. John the Baptist Church, 37 Pleasant Street
The Rosary will be prayed on Sunday, May 7, at 10:35 a.m. preceding 11 a.m. Mass.

Cape Elizabeth
Fort Williams Park, 1000 Shore Road
A Rosary rally will be held near the flagpole on Saturday, May 13, at noon.

Cape Elizabeth
St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road
In honor of Our Lady of Fatima, St. John Paul II Parish offers and 8 a.m. Mass every 1st Saturday of the month, followed by recitation of the Holy Rosary, devotions, and the sacrament of reconciliation. The Mass in the month of May will be on Sunday, May 6. The Rosary will also be prayed on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. preceding 8 a.m. Masses.

Caribou
Holy Rosary Church, 34 Vaughn Street
The Rosary will be prayed as part of First Saturday devotions on Saturday, May 6, at 3 p.m.

Dexter
St. Anne Church, 64 Free Street
A May crowning will be held during the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 7.

Ellsworth
Shrine at St. Joseph Church, 321 Main Street
Prayers will be offered for America and Our Lady's intentions on Saturday, May 13, at noon.

Fort Fairfield
St. Denis Church, 147 Main Street
The Rosary will be prayed on Sundays at 10:15 a.m.

Fort Kent
St. Louis Church, 26 East Main Street
The Rosary will be prayed before 7 a.m. Masses on Wednesdays and 4 p.m. Masses on Saturdays.

Frenchville
Knights of Columbus Cross
A prayer rally for Our Lady of Fatima to pray for protection and help in our country and personal lives will be held Saturday, May 13, at noon.

Gorham
St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street
A Rosary rally will be held on Saturday, May 13. It will include confessions at 10 a.m., Mass inside the church at 11 a.m., and a Rosary rally on the lawn at noon.

Island Falls
St. Agnes Church, 76 Sewall Street
The Rosary will be prayed at the church on Saturdays at 5 p.m. before 5:30 p.m. Masses.

Kennebunk
Franciscan Monastery, 28 Beach Avenue
A May crowning will be held on Saturday, May 6, at 1:30 p.m. The crowning will be followed by First Saturday devotions, a recitation of the Rosary, the Litany of Mary, and more.

Kittery
St. Raphael Church, 6 Whipple Road
The Rosary will be prayed on Fridays after 9 a.m. Mass.

Lewiston
Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Chapel, 122 Ash Street
The Rosary will be prayed on Mondays through Fridays at 6:25 a.m. (also livestreamed at princeofpeace.me)

Lewiston
Holy Cross Church, 1080 Lisbon Street
The Rosary will be prayed Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and Sundays at 7:55 a.m. in the Rivier Adoration Chapel.

Lewiston
Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus Street
The Rosary will be prayed on Saturdays at 3:25 p.m.

Lisbon Falls
Holy Trinity Church, 67 Frost Hill Avenue
The Rosary will be prayed Monday through Friday at 8:05 a.m., Saturdays at 3:25 p.m., and Sundays at 9:55 a.m.

Machias
Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street
St. Peter the Fisherman Parish will celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima on Saturday, May 13, at 8:30 a.m. with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary, and prayers to Our Lady of Fatima.

Madawaska
St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 337 St. Thomas Street
The Rosary will be prayed every Wednesday and Friday at 3 p.m. The Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed followed by the Rosary.

Milo
St. Francis Xavier & St. Paul the Apostle Church, 128 Riverside Street
A May crowning will be held during the Saturday, May 13, 4 p.m. Mass

Newcastle
St. Patrick Church, 380 Academy Hill Road
The Rosary will be prayed at 3:20 p.m. on Saturdays before 4 p.m. Masses.

North Caribou
Sacred Heart Church, 1143 Van Buren Road
The Rosary will be prayed on Wednesdays at 10 a.m.

Norway
St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street
The Rosary will be prayed on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. following 8 a.m. Masses.

Old Town
Holy Family Church, 429 Main Street
The Rosary will be prayed each day prior to the 8 a.m. Mass on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Pittsfield
St. Agnes Church, 238 Detroit Street
A May crowning will be held on Sunday, May 7, during the 8 a.m. Mass

Portage
Our Lady of the Lake Church, 2111 Portage Road (Rt. 11)
The Rosary will be prayed on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 8:15 a.m. prior to Mass at 9 a.m.

Presque Isle
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 333 Main Street
The Rosary will be prayed on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. and on Saturday, May 6, as part of First Saturday devotions at 2:30 p.m.

Rumford
St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue
The Rosary is prayed daily at 7:30 a.m., prior to the 8:15 a.m. Mass on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Wednesdays, it is prayed at 8 a.m.

Saint Francis
St. Charles Borromeo Church, 912 Main Street
The Rosary will be prayed before Saturday Masses (6 p.m.)

Sanford
Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue
The Rosary will be prayed Saturdays at 3:20 p.m. (before 4 p.m. Mass) and Sundays at 9:20 a.m. (before 10 a.m. Mass). The Rosary will also be prayed following all weekday Masses in May.

Scarborough
St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road
The Rosary will be prayed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m. preceding 8 a.m. Masses.

South Berwick
Our Lady of the Angels Church, 162 Agamenticus Road
The Rosary will be prayed Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. prior to 4 p.m. Masses.

South Portland
Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road
The Rosary will also be prayed on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7 a.m. preceding 7:30 a.m. Masses.

Van Buren
St. Bruno-St. Remi Church, 174 Main Street
The Rosary will be recited daily at noon in the parking lot of St. Bruno - St. Remi Church by the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Waterville
Notre Dame du Perpetuel Secours Church, 116 Silver Street
All are invited to join in praying the Rosary on Mondays at 11:30 a.m., prior to the 12:15 p.m. Mass.

Wells
St. Mary Church, 236 Eldridge Road
The Holy Spirit Parish Knights of Columbus councils will hold a Holy Hour, including exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, group prayer, a recitation of the Rosary, and time for reflection, on Wednesday, May 17, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The retreat will be preceded by a light meal to which all are welcome from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Winthrop
St. Francis Xavier Church, 130 Route 133
The Rosary will be prayed Mondays and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m.