SAINT ANTHONY
PARISH

Dear Parishioners,
 
Last Sunday, at the 10:30a.m. Mass we had a “Crowning of Mary” ritual. After Mass I heard from some of the parishioners that they had not seen this before or that they remember this ritual from their childhood.
I personally think that it is a beautiful ritual that pays respects to our Blessed Mother Mary in the month of May that is HER month. Where does it come from and what is the history of what we celebrated last Sunday?
 
In order to answer that question, we need to look into the Catholic Church’s history.
For centuries, the Catholic Church has emphasized the month of May as a time of honor and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Parishes and families often celebrate with special pilgrimages, devotions, or placing a crown on a statue of Mary, traditionally called a “May Crowning”.
 
On April 29, 1965, Blessed Pope Paul VI promulgated his encyclical Mense Maio (“The Month of May”), which promoted May devotions to the Blessed Mother, knowing that, “the person who encounters Mary cannot help but encounter Christ likewise” (n. 2). Released on the eve of the last session of the Second Vatican Council and amid escalating violence and unrest of the Vietnam War and the 1960’s, the help of Mary was “a matter of top priority” considering “the present needs of the Church and the status of world peace” (n. 3). The words of Paul VI are just as relevant today. In our social and political climate, focusing on Mary is not a pious distraction from real issues, but a vital source for grace, truth, and mercy.
    
May devotions to Mary began in the 13th century, but there is little information to know how it was celebrated. In its present form, the practice of May devotions to Mary originated within the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits – would you believe that?) in the 18th century under Father Latomia of their Roman College. His desire was to promote devotion to Mary among the students as a way to counteract infidelity and immorality. From Rome, the May devotion spread throughout the Jesuit colleges, and eventually throughout the whole Church. Pope Francis, who is also a Jesuit, has a special devotion to Mary as did Pope John Paul II.
 
The image of Mary wearing a gold crown (our statue of Mary has one, if you have noticed) appears in early Eastern and Western iconography, drawing inspiration from the Coronation of Mary as understood in Catholic biblical tradition based on the passage from Revelation 12:1, “A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars”. Pope Clement VIII (1592-1605) first placed two crowns on the Marian icon called “Salus Populi Romani” in the Roman Basilica of St. Mary Major, but the crowns were later lost. On the Feast of the Assumption in 1838, Pope Gregory XVI once again added crowns in a special rite, officially starting the tradition as it is still performed today.
 
One reason the devotion has come to extend over the entire month is the abundance of Marian feast days in May: Our Lady of Fatima (May 13), Mary Help of Christians (May 24), and the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (May 31).
Mary receives an important role in Pope Francis’ recent Exhortation Amoris Leatitia - The Joy of Love: On Love in the Family. He states, “Every family should look to the icon of the Holy Family of Nazareth” (n. 30). Pope Francis goes on to say, “The treasury of Mary’s heart also contains the experiences of every family, which she cherishes. For this reason, she can help us understand the meaning of these experiences and to hear the message God wishes to communicate through the life of our families” (n. 30). Pope Francis reminds us that by honoring Mary, we honor Jesus and our families.

The month of May also celebrates our biological Mother’s Day (May 8). Let Mary’s month be a new reason to honor and celebrate your own mother. But also find ways to honor our Blessed Mother with your words and actions this month. The rosary is definitely a great helper with that, so let’s pray it!

 
Blessings,
Fr. Tad
This week's Special Collection
Make a difference. Every dollar makes a difference in covering the retirement and end-of-life expenses of our Diocesan priests who have faithfully served our communities for little pay.
Your gift to the Diocesan Priests Retirement Appeal provides vital funding for medications, nursing care, and more to these priests who have been good shepherds and have kept their promises to the faithful of the Diocese.
Please be generous.
TONIGHT
First Friday Eucharistic Adoration

Pope Paul VI wrote, “Just as you can’t be exposed to the sun without receiving its rays, neither can you come to Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament without receiving the divine rays of his grace, his love, his peace.

The Most Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on the altar this Friday, May 6, following a Mass at 6:30 pm and lasting throughout the night. Stay for 5 minutes or for an entire hour, whatever works for you. All are invited for breakfast and fellowship following the 7:00 am benediction on Saturday morning.
May is a month dedicated to Our Blessed Mother Mary. Saint Francis de Sales said: "Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence." And so during this month, we run to Mary in prayer and with confidence. After each weekday Mass in May, we will gather to pray the Rosary.
Please join us.
ILM
Attend the Institute for Leadership in Ministry. Do you have a call to the ministry of leadership within your community? Do you currently participate in some form of pastoral ministry? Do you want to learn and get the skills to serve better your community? Explore attending the ILM this year. The ILM is accepting nominations for the academic year 2022-2023, classes begin September 2022.
Please find more about the ILM and how to apply at dsj.org/evangelization/institute-for-leadership-in-ministry/
Friday, May 13th at 6:00 p.m.
St. Anthony Parish invites you to join us for Pasta Night!

Tickets: $15 for Adults, $8 for Children under 12, FREE for ages under 5
Tickets available after each weekend Mass through May 8th. Please buy your tickets early so we can plan on attendance.
Dinner Menu: A wonderful Italian meal of pasta, sausage, meatballs, garlic bread, salad and dessert!
Take-outs Welcome!
2022 Mass Intention Book
Mass Intentions are now being scheduled for 2022. Please stop by or call the Parish office to request your intention.
PASTORAL VISITS
Dear Parishioners,

I would like to offer pastoral visit for those parishioners who are elderly or sick and haven’t had or have the opportunity to come to church.

I would like to designate the 1st Friday of each month for a pastoral visit.

Anyone who would like to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), Anointing of the Sick and the Holy Communion, please, call the Office and set up an appointment.

Fr. Tad
Vigil Mass, May 7
Little Church McKean Rd

4:00p.m. Mass
Sunday Masses, May 8
Big Church McKean Rd

8:30a.m. Mass (Livestreamed)
&
10:30a.m. Mass

Livestream Link

Weekday Mass :
Tuesday - Friday
8:00 a.m.
*5/9-5/12
No Weekday Mass due to
Clergy Study Week
Visit the parish website for updates and other news
Office Line: 408-997-4800

Masks are ENCOURAGED indoors regardless of vaccination status