May Crownings 2024

​May is the Month of Mary and throughout this month our parish has been honoring Our Lady with different celebrations and festivals.

​Click "Read More" to see photos from the different devotions!

Saturday, May 11

Mariam Dearit - St. Thomas of Canterbury church

Catholics in Eritrea (East Africa) venerate Our Lady with a major festival at the end of the month of May and we continued that tradition here in Chicago. On May 11, the Eritrean community hosted a celebration in honor of Mariam Dearit, a statue of the Virgin Mary that has resided inside a trunk of an ancient baobab tree for centuries. 

Festivities started at 11 AM with Mass in the Ge’ze Rite followed by a Marian procession. Then everyone went to the basement space for a celebratory reception.

*Photos courtesy photography team volunteer Wes Kinard

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Sunday, May 12

8 AM Mass - St. Thomas of Canterbury church

The Vietnamese community incorporates a May Crowning into every 8 AM Mass during the month of May. Before Mass, parishioners line up to offer flowers to Mother Mary and then they crown the statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

*Photos courtesy Francis Khuc

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​Sunday, May 12

9:30 AM Mass - St. Gregory the Great church

First Communion students from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program crowned Mary at the conclusion of the Mass while Fr. Thomas said the special blessing.

*Photos courtesy Mark Franzen

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Sunday, May 19

11:30 AM Mass - St. Thomas of Canterbury church

The Legion of Mary sponsored the May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary following the 11:30 AM Mass. Fr. Paul, OFM Conv. celebrated Mass and gave the blessing outside in the Grotto of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

*Photos courtesy Bridget Essi, Joan Mikol, & photography team volunteer Dina Kwit