Invitation to the Flowers of May
An Invitation
It is a custom in many Catholic church communities across the world to celebrate the Flowers of May.
This year, I invite all our catholic communities across the Central Region of the Diocese come to St Joseph’s Cathedral for the 9.30 am Mass on Sunday 30th May 2021 and celebrate the end of Mary, Month of May, with Flowers of May.
The feast has been inspired by our Filipino community, and I invite the Catholic community of the Central Region of the Diocese to celebrate this Marian day in honour of Our Lady of the Rosary, which echoes the traditions of overseas born Catholics in our Diocese, who bring the richness of their tradition into our Catholic family.
Leading up to Sunday 30th May, there will be a 9-day Novena of the Holy Rosary across the Central Region of the Diocese, beginning on Friday 22nd May and concluding with the 9.30 am Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral.
At the end of the Mass, a procession honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary will start from St Joseph’s Cathedral, wherein the statue of our Blessed Mother Mary will be carried around the grounds of the Cathedral, ending at the Corso. Our young people will offer flowers to the Blessed Mother, while the various community groups will sing a Song to Mary in their own language.
I invite the whole of the Central Region of the Diocese to join me in celebrating The Flowers of May in honour of Our Lady. I also invite you all to come in your national costume, as we celebrate the beauty of our own churches here in Australia, embracing the various faith traditions from different countries.
Program for The Flowers of May
Friday 22nd May – Day one of the Novena of Rosaries – St Joseph’s Cathedral at 6.30 pm.
Saturday 23rd May to Friday 29th May- Days 2 to 9 – Rosaries in your homes, via ZOOM, in parishes, at times convenient for your group. Please organise with your friends how best to connect during these days, and inform the Parish Office so we can acknowledge your group.
Sunday – 30th May – Celebrations of The Flowers of May The Celebrations will begin at the end of the 9.30 am Sunday Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral, with a procession, carrying the Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary around the grounds of the Cathedral, ending at the Cathedral Corso, where young people will offer flowers to the statue of Our Lady, while members of the various community groups render Marian Hymns in their own language; The celebrations will culminate with Folk songs and traditional dancing by members of the community.
Please contact Matthew and Jody at the Parish Office (Tel 4927 6744) to indicate how you might participate and be with us on this day.
With blessings from Our Mother Mary,
Most Rev Michael McCarthy
Bishop of Rockhampton