St. Coletta’s of Illinois celebrates annual May Crowning ceremony honoring the Blessed Mother

St. Coletta’s of Illinois honored the Blessed Virgin Mary with its annual May Crowning ceremony, a cherished Catholic tradition celebrating Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Mother of the Church. The event took place on the St. Coletta’s campus May 16 and was led by Fr. Dan Korenchan from Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Orland Hills.

The celebration began with a special Mass, after which Fr. Dan led a joyful procession to the Blessed Mother statue on campus. Participants placed flowers at the base of the statue as a sign of reverence and devotion.

The crowning moment of the event was led by Kennedy School student Camille and CDS participant Farrakhan, who had the honor of placing a floral wreath on the statue’s head. Fr. Dan then led the group in praying the Hail Mary, bringing the community together in a moment of shared faith and reflection.

 “We’re remembering Mary—a very special lady who loves us,” said Fr. Dan. Following the prayer, he invited everyone to blow the statue of Mary a kiss, adding a tender and personal touch to the ceremony.

St. Coletta’s was pleased to welcome several special guests for the occasion, including Board members Andrea Ramirez-Justin, Susan Poole and Janet Barry, as well as Foundation Board member David Seaman.

“We are grateful to Fr. Dan for guiding us through this meaningful ceremony,” said St. Coletta’s CEO, Heather Benedick. “It was a beautiful expression of faith, inclusion, and community spirit—core values that guide our mission.”

The May Crowning tradition at St. Coletta’s serves as an annual reminder of the organization’s Catholic roots and its commitment to celebrating the spiritual lives of those it serves.