The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-05-12
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY.
crowning of the Statue at st. Monica's
Church Sunday Evening.

The crowning of Our Blessed Lady's
statue was carried out impressiyely Sun
day evening at st. Monica's church, This
| is one of the most beautiful ceremonies
of the year and takes place annually
during the month of May. Ii is par
| ticipated in by the members of the sodal-
ity, which comprises all the unmarried
young ladies of the highest standing in
the parish, who are banded together for
the purpose of honoring the mother of
God and modelling their own lives in imi-
tation of hers.
The procession formed al the convent
and vestry and promptly at $50 entered
the church as Mr. Bennett sang "As the
Spring Uncloses,' headed by the cross
bearer and altar boys. Following the
cross and the banner Of the society
marched the marshal, Miss Granger, then
the Guardian Angel society go in num-
Der, each of the nine ehoirs represented
by beautiful angel banner
The officers of the society marshsled
these little ones, then came the junior
and senior members, over 300 in number,
together with the aspirants, l6 little tots
with baskets and festoons of green and
50 with garlands, while so of the senior
girls carried bouquets of cut flowers for
the altar decoration.
As the procession moved up the main
aisle, the members filed into the places
reserved for them the little tots and
garland girls formed guard before the
ehancel rail and the flower girls, parting
at either side, formed a floral way
through which the May queen and her
attendants passed.
The May queen was Miss Frances Nell
son, with Misses G. Calcagni and B. Nell
son as guards of honor. Two little tots
carried the crown ON silver tray, little
Misses Boulieu and Walker As the
young ladies sang I'VE Crown Thee with
Roses" the queen placed the crown of
roses on the head of the statue and her
own bouquet of roses at the foot, the
flower girls came two by two and pre-.
sented theirs, until every stair was
banked with beauty. Then. the little
tots offered their baskets and garlands,
while singing 20 Mary, Dear Mother"
The erowning being completed, Rev.
Fr McKenna received IL new members,
presenting them ribbons and medals. The
reverend father then addressed the chill
dren Of Mary by reading the words of
the act of conservation, which had been
so very beautifully said by the newly
made members, and he very eloquently
told them what to do and what not to do
to remain faithful children Of Mary. He
dwelt with great emphasis on the pitfalls
and dangers so prevalent in our city of
Barre. Though very brief, it contained
treasures not to be forgotten by each
and every member in modelling their lives
by that of the Immaculate Mother.
After the hymn, "Star of the Sea-
benediction of the blessed sacrament was
given, all the members present forming
one grand chorus, closing with Holy
God, We Praise Thy Name"
The crowning this year was made more
beautiful than other years by the l6
banners and the offering Of 400 carna-
tions and smilax donated by the mem
bers The officers, president, Miss M.
Jordan; vice president, Miss h. Nelson;
secretary, Miss +. Mclaughlin; treas
urer, Miss A. Vanetti, deserve great
praise for the perfect success of the May
procession