15th Ceremonial Crowning of Mary Held at Sound Beach

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent’s Recreation Coordinator, Karen Murphy coordinated the 15th ceremony of the crowning of the statue of Mary for the Sisters of the convent this week. This event, initiated in 2005, was inspired by Karen’s friend, a teacher at St. Joan of Arc in Jackson Heights, NY, who shared the booklet and songs for the order of the crowning of Mary. And from there, Karen started a new tradition. Ever since, the Sisters have been participating with Catholics around the world to signify her as Queen of Heaven and the Mother of God during the annual May crowning ceremony. Sr. Lucy Daigle, DW, who in 2005, was new to Sound Beach, was the first to crown the statue of Mary that is in front of the convent. She even helped to design the crown. In the past, Fr. Jim Manning, SMM, would join the Sisters and read part of the booklet. Every year a different Sister is chosen to crown Mary. This year it was Sr. Emma Rohn, 92, who had the honor to adorn the statue with a lovely lavender crown.