On Monday, May 20th, we celebrated the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of our Church by holding an outdoor May Crowning and prayer service to consecrate our school to Mary. Marian consecration is the act of entrusting all that one possesses - body, mind, soul, works, and life - to the protection, guidance, and intercession of Our Lady. The ultimate goal of consecrating ourselves to Mary is to consecrate ourselves to Jesus through Mary, which deepens our devotion to Him. 

Students, faculty, staff, and the Felician sisters gathered on the OLSH front lawn as chaplain, Fr. Bill Dorner, led the congregation in prayer. The chapel choir sang hymns to celebrate Mary, and the community prayed the Litany of Loreto together, which is a special and traditional way to honor God, his saints, and especially Our Lady. Following the Litany, the school performed the act of consecration together, and Senior Lauren Shuagis had the honor of placing a blessed flower crown on the statue of Mary. Fr. Bill then blessed an ex-voto heart which contains the names of every Felician sister, student, and faculty, staff, and board member currently associated with OLSH. At the conclusion of the service, students were given prayer cards with a depiction of Mary holding baby Jesus and a lamb, inscribed with the words “Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Pray for Us,” as a way to remember and hold this special event close to their hearts.