Devotions honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary as “the Queen of Heaven and Earth” occur every weeknight during May at St. Joseph Basilica. It is a tradition that the student president of St. Joseph School’s Children of Mary Sodality crowns the statue of the Blessed Mother and that the First Communion Class attend the coronation ceremony. Therefore, on Monday, May 3rd, following the blessing of a floral crown by Pastor Rev. Grzegorz Chodkowski (Fr. Gregory), 8th Grade student Maya Podskarbi, had the privilege of placing it on the Virgin Mary statue. It was a beautiful moment that reflected the mystery it evokes: The Fifth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary – The Coronation of Mary. During the devotion, the First Communion students also received their scapulars. However, before placing a scapular on each child, Fr. Gregory spoke to them about its significance.
He began his homily by putting a winter hat on his head and gloves on his hands and asked the children why they would wear hats and gloves. Then, Fr. Gregory changed his knit hat to a baseball cap, put on a pair of sunglasses, and held up a can of sunscreen. Again, he asked the children why they would use these items. They all responded enthusiastically that the items are used to protect their body. Fr. Gregory explained that humans have a body and a soul, and just as we need to protect our bodies, we also need to protect our souls from the dangers of sin and temptation. He told the children that temptation is Satan encouraging us to do something that is not good and that following through with these thoughts will only make us feel worse. Then, while holding up a scapular, he said, “This is the image of the Blessed Mother – The Blessed Mother of Mount Carmel. She comes with help, and the scapular is one of the things we can use to protect our soul from getting sick with sin, temptation, and evil.”
Fr. Gregory continued, “A lot of people wear crosses. I wear a cross, and it reminds me of the presence of God in my life. Sometimes I touch it during times of distress, and it reminds me that God is with me. The scapular is the same reminder of the presence of God.” Fr. Gregory encouraged the students, “When you are in distress, recall your scapular and the Blessed Mother of Mount Carmel – our Heavenly Mother – who is taking care of us. She wants you to wear your scapular.” He concluded with the following instructions, “Put this over your head. Do not throw it into a draw or keep it as a souvenir. Carry it on you or place it in your backpack, and always recall this image. Whenever there is something wrong in your life, grab it, look at the picture of The Blessed Mother of Mount Carmel, and say, ‘Mom, help me?’ She is our heavenly Mother, and She is with us always.”
Although the evening’s message was intended for the students, the special devotion dedicated to the Coronation of Mary should remind all of us of the Blessed Mother’s extraordinary role as not only the Mother of Jesus but the Mother of the Catholic Church. To watch the entire devotion, please visit the St. Joseph School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stjosephwebster.
