It is likely that most (if not all) of us remember one of the primary May activities when we were either students and/or teachers at a Catholic elementary or high school. Yes, the annual May crowning or May procession! As we once again move toward “Mary’s Month,” a search of the collection of chronicles in the province archives reveals May activities of an earlier time. Two of these are shared here.
Stella Niagara Convent Chronicle 1933
On May 7 a miniature bazaar, our May Festival, was held, following a recital given by the Music Department of our Seminary. The next day, the following news item appeared in the Niagara Falls Gazette:
"More than 400 people attended the annual May Festival at Stella Niagara Academy, yester-day. Scores of the alumnae and their families and friends were guests of the Sisters of St. Francis during the afternoon and evening. The well-equipped gymnasium was made over into a bower of bloom to provide for booths to care for the bazaar section of the entertainment and garden spots where refreshments were served. In the late afternoon the students of the academy were afforded ample opportunity to present their talent in music and prose which prompted unstinted praise for the care and patience exercised by the faculty in the training of the pupils.
A specially prepared cantata, "The Daughter of Jairus," was staged as the chief feature of the program. Later supper was served to the large assembly, among whom were many prominent men and women from Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
The proceeds of the affair will be turned over to help defray the cost of modern improvements installed in the academy, where are housed students from distant parts of the United States and for-eign lands, with a fairly large representation from the Niagara Frontier."
The proceeds of the bazaar amounted to approximately $600.
Sacred Heart Convent Chronicle 1934
The annual rally of the WNY Sodalists took place at Bowmansville, N.Y. May 27. All the col-leges, academies, and Catholic high schools sent delegates. Our academy was represented by a large number of students and three of the sisters. Agnes Walsh, one of our seniors, having previ-ously won the oratorical contest of the Sodalities of Western New York had the honor of crowning our Blessed Lady. Many priests, sisters, and students were present and participated in the proces-sion which took place on the spacious grounds surrounding the church, which is the famous Shrine of the Sacred Heart. Then, using a "Loud Speaker," Agnes had to repeat her selection which had won the contest. It was an original composition on our beloved Mother Leonarda. Many priests spoke in terms of highest commendation. They said they were happy to learn something of the life of Mother Leonarda and they would endeavor to imitate the life of this saintly religious. We are con-fident that our dear Mother Leonarda was pleased and that she will be a powerful intercessor for us before the throne of God.