St. Pius V students honor the Blessed Mother as they fully reunite for first school event since pandemic began

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PROVIDENCE — The St. Pius V School community gathered fully together for the first time since before the pandemic began at last Friday’s May Crowning outside of the Providence school. Safely spaced and conscious of health precautions, students and faculty came together to kick off the month by honoring Mary, mother of Jesus, as “the Queen of May.”
Sister Josemaría Pence, O.P., principal, explained that this was the first time the school was reunited in one place and at one time since last March. The student body had previously gathered separately for Mass and other events this school year.
“It couldn’t be a more joyful time for us to be together,” she said. “The great hope that Mary shows us that we are really made for heaven and that we are not just looking forward to the end of the pandemic — we are looking for a glorified life in heaven.”
A statue of Mary stood front and center as each student came forward to present beautiful bouquets. Hundreds of varieties of flowers soon filled vases, surrounding Mary with abundant color and with fragrance.
Second and eighth graders, each of whom are making their respective sacraments of reconciliation and confirmation this year, were dressed in their Easter best on this special day. Marian songs and prayers, led by Father Justin Bolger, O.P., associate pastor of St. Pius V Church, made for a beautiful tribute to Our Lady ahead of Mother’s Day weekend. To conclude the prayer service, eighth graders Lana Koolian and Joseph Cavanagh presented Mary with a crown of flowers. In a special honor, the two were selected to bring up the crown by classmates noting that the two had virtues most like Mary.