History and Tradition

The Celestial Crown was given as a reward of merit. Historically, this crown was given to churches or posthumously (after death) to women who had done good works. The celestial crown is also used as a symbol, in coats of arms, to represent heavenly rewards.

The distinguishing features of the celestial crown are the stars sitting atop the rays of the crown. Although the celestial crown may have eight (or more) rays, only five are visible at the front and in carvings or images.

In the Catholic tradition, the crowning of the Madonna for festival parades is typically done with a celestial crown or some variation thereof. Below is a photograph of an 19th century French Madonna Crown.

At our Celestial Crowns Women's Spiritual Retreat our focus will be on the five imperishable crowns of scripture and the heavenly rewards given after death. How do we earn the Celestial Crowns of Heaven? What are the five imperishible crowns promised to the faithful by Scripture? And what will we do with all these crowns?