The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-28
THE MAY PROFESSIONS
Annual Celebration in Honor of the
Virgin Mary.
The Festival Generally Observed by
the Roman Catholic Churchcs-
Street Pnrndes of White RObcd
Children, Bearing Banners, and
Representing Saints and Angels.

The May festival was generally observed
yesterday in the Roman Catholic Church
where special services were held for the
children. and thousands of little ones, clad
in spotless white. marched in the annual
professions. The month of May, the
month Of flowers, is dedicated to the
Virgin Mary. and annually one Sunday of
the month is set aside by the Church for
children's services and the May procession.
From st. Aloysius Church fully 500 boys
and white robed little maids with long
white wells or chaplets of flowers crowning
their Sunday made curls, paraded yester-
day afternoon, preceded by Father Cor
man. The cross bearer. carrying the cruxi-
fix. and with two acolytes with blessed
candles at his right and left, headed the
procession. About thirty altar boys in red
gowns covered with lace and hands held
before them in the attitude Of prayer came
next. and following them were the officers,
band of thirty pieces. drum and fife corps.
twenty strong, and thirty-five cadets, uni
formed and armed, all of Gonzaga College.
Next marched the little ones in column of
two dressed as saints. angels, archangeis,
and carrying sacred banners, baskets OF
flowers, and tokens.
The procession was closed by the May
Queen. Anna Elkert, carrying crown upon
a silk cushion, and escorted by her maids
of honor, Carrie Montrose and Katie
Quinn.
Among the banners displayed were those
of st. Aloysius. the Infant Jesus. the Holy
Cross, banners of the Joyful, Sorrowful,
and Glorious Mysteries. St. Agnes Banner,
Banner of our Lady of L2urdes, of the
Sacred Heart, of the Blessed Virgin, and
the Banner of the Infant Jesus of Prague.
The saints and characters represented
were David: st. Joseph: Blessed Margaret,
Miss N Riordan: st. Cecilia, Miss NJ
Raft; ST. Rose. Miss l. Sears; ST. Gather
inc. Miss A. Wade; st. Elizabeth, Miss r.
Schafhirt; the Queen Of the Rosary, Miss
Kate Healey, and the Queen of the
Virgins. by Miss NJ. Matthews. Faith
Hope. and Charity were also represented
by three little maids, as were also six
apparitions of Bernadette of Lourdes.
The procession entered the church sing
ing in unison, and deposited their flowers
before the shrine of the Virgin. which was
Illuminated with the light of many can
dies. After encircling the edfice twice the
children were seated in the pews, where
they listened TO the services. After the
sermon the DAY queen performed the act
Of conservation and placed the crown be-
fore the shrine of the Holy Mother. 20.
Salutaris'' was sung by Miss Hannah
Wade. and the choir rendered several Sc
lections. After the benedction the chill
dren marched out and were disbanded.
At St. Peters Church 400 girls and 200
boys marched in the May festival process
sion. each little one holding a bouquet Of
flowers, to be offered to the Virgin. The
Mysteries of the Beads were represented.
and banners of St. Augustus, Madonna and
Child, Sacred Heart. St. John. the Nativity.
Ave Maria" and the Virgin were carried.
A guard of honor preceded the May Queen,
Lucy McKenna. who was escorted by four
maids of honor who held over her head
silken canopy. Devotional exercises were
held In the church after the procession.
and the flowers carried by the children
were deposited at the shrine of the Virgin,
who was crowned by the May Queen
At St. Stephens Church the May process
sion of the children Of the parish was held
at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and church
vespers were sung and May deyotions
were held upon the return to the church.
The May procession at st. Dominic's
Church was held at z o'clock in the even
ing and was followed with the browning
of the statue Of the Virgin.
The May procession was followed by 4
o'clock vespers at st. Joseph's Church.
At the Church Of the Sacred Heart an
evening procession began at $50 O'Clock
The children of St. Cyprian's Church held
their procession In honor OF the Hoy
Mother at O'Clock in the afternoon.
The children of the parish OF st. Their
esa's Church held their procession at 4
O'Clock. and it was. followed by benedic
ton and vespers On their return to the
church. Refreshments were served to the
boys and girls after the services.