For centuries, May has been a month in which the Catholic Church honors the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church. Devotions are traditionally held in a tribute of faith, reverence, and love to our Blessed Mother, according to a press release.

On Thursday, May 13, Catholic school students across Maine will pray the Holy Rosary during special events to implore Mary’s intercession and protection in our world, according to the release.

At St. James School in Biddeford a crowning of Mary will be led by the fourth-grade at 1 p.m., followed by age-appropriate Holy Rosary activities.

Also in York County, at St. Thomas School in Sanford will be a recitation of the Holy Rosary and a May crowning ceremony at 1:30 p.m.

The events at these and other Maine Catholic schools fall on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, during which Catholics celebrate Christ’s bodily ascension into heaven in the presence of his apostles, according to the release. Because Christ ascended, Catholics, as members of the Body of Christ, also look forward to ascending into heaven after  bodily resurrection.