The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MAY CROWNING CUSTOM

AT THE GIRLS' BOARDING SCHOOL I WENT TO IN WISCONSIN
A GIRL WAS CHOSEN EACH YEAR TO BE THE CENTRAL
CHARACTER IN A PROCESSION OF ALL THE GIRLS IN THE
SCHOOL WEARING WHITE DRESSES, BLUE SATIN SASHES, WHITE
(LONG) VEILS, AND CARRYING WHITE GLADIOLAS TO PUT INTO
VASES AROUND AN ALTAR TO MARY. THE GIRL CHOSEN, CALLED
THE MAY CROWNING QUEEN, CARRIED A BOQUET OF WHITE ROSES
WOVEN INTO A CROWN AND PUT IT ON THE HEAD OF A STATUE
OF MARY AT THE FOCAL POINT OF THIS ALTAR. THE GIRLS SANG
SONG AND SAID A ROSARY, & LISTENED TO A HOMILY.

Submitter comment: THIS "MARY" IS SAID TO BE THE MOTHER OF JESUS CHRIST.

Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE

Keyword(s): MAY QUEEN ; VIRGIN MARY

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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