Keeping Traditions Alive

St Joachim Catholic School celebrates ‘May Crowing’ with the famous Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima.

Costa Mesa, May 8th, 2009 - In times of financial and economic insecurities it’s nice to have traditions to hold on to. St. Joachim Catholic school of Costa Mesa knows how to cherish these traditions and celebrate them. One of the highly anticipated events is the yearly ‘May Crowning’ – presenting flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This year the celebration took place on Friday, May 8th, just before Mother’s Day, at St. Joachim’s church on Orange Avenue.

It was a very special day for all the Pre-K and K students who had prepared for this event long, long before. Parishioners and parents alike witnessed with amazement how their little girls and boys walked in procession so formally and ceremonially in pairs down the aisle towards the altar: The little girls perfectly dressed in their most beautiful dresses and the boys in their Sunday outfits, each one having a flower in their hand which they proudly presented to the Blessed Virgin Mary, one by one. They then prayed the rosary and sang a special song for Mary, the mother of Jesus. The church seemed to be filled with love and peace.

Adding to this already touching ceremony was the extraordinary circumstance of having the famous International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima visit St. Joachim’s church for this special event. (The Pilgrim Virgin Statue will be in the diocese of Orange until May 21st and be visiting different parishes)

It was a wonderful and heart warming event. Thank you St. Joachim for keeping traditions alive!

(The ‘May Crowning’ with grades 1-8 will be Friday, May 15th)