MEMORIAL OF THE QUEENSHIP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – 22nd AUGUST

MEMORIAL OF THE QUEENSHIP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – 22nd AUGUST

In this feast, particularly cherished by the Popes of modern times, we celebrate Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Earth.

Pope Pius XII in the Papal Encyclical Ad Coeli Reginam proposed the traditional doctrine on the Queenship of Mary and established this feast for the Universal Church.

Pope Pius IX said of Mary’s queenship: “Turning her maternal Heart toward us and dealing with the affair of our salvation, she is concerned with the whole human race. Constituted by the Lord Queen of Heaven and earth, and exalted above all choirs of Angels and the ranks of Saints in Heaven, standing at the right hand of Her only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, she petitions most powerfully with Her maternal prayers, and she obtains what she seeks.”

And Pope Pius XII added the following: “We commend that on the festival there be renewed the consecration of the human race to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Upon this there is founded a great hope that there will rejoice in the triumph of religion and in Christian peace…

…Therefore, let all approach with greater confidence now than before, to the throne of mercy and grace of our Queen and Mother to beg help in difficultly, light in darkness and solace in trouble and sorrow…

 . Whoever, therefore, honours the lady ruler of the Angels and of men – and let no one think themselves exempt from the payment of that tribute of a grateful and loving soul – let them call upon her as most truly Queen and as the Queen who brings the blessings of peace, that She may show us all, after this exile, Jesus, who will be our enduring peace and joy.”

(©Catholic News Agency)

CONTEMPLATING THE MEMORIAL OF THE QUEENSHIP OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

THE MOTHER WHO WEARS NO CROWN OF GOLD

After the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church celebrates her Queenship, recognizing the unique dignity of the Mother of Christ, who was taken body and soul into heavenly glory.

THE CORONATION IN GLORY

Mary’s coronation is not a ceremony of earthly power or a crown fashioned from gold. Her crown is a sign of the glory she shares with her Son. She who humbly said, “Let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), was exalted because of her faith, obedience and complete self-giving.

Scripture foretells this dignity: “At your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir” (Psalm 45:9). As the Mother of Christ, she is also honoured as Mother of the Church and Queen of Heaven and Earth.

THE LEGACY OF HER QUEENSHIP

The Church gradually gave expression to the devotion that Christians had cherished for centuries. The faithful honoured Mary as Queen through the Rosary, prayer, sacred art and tradition. Her queenship is rooted not in worldly authority but in her intimate relationship with Christ.

Like Bathsheba, who was seated at the right hand of King Solomon (1 Kings 2:19), Mary is honoured as Queen Mother. Her dignity flows from humility, obedience and love.

In 1954, Pope Pius XII instituted the Feast of the Queenship of Mary. It was initially celebrated on 31 May and was later moved to 22 August, following the Solemnity of the Assumption, beautifully linking her Assumption with her heavenly Queenship.

A QUEEN UNLIKE ANY OTHER

Mary does not rule through armies, earthly power or worldly splendour. Her throne is close to the pierced Heart of her Son, her strength is prayer, and her crown is the glory bestowed upon her by God.

She is honoured as Queen of Peace, Queen of Mercy and Queen of Heaven. Her queenship is expressed through loving intercession, maternal care and unwavering closeness to Christ.

AND SO, SHE REIGNS

Mary reigns wherever humble hearts turn to God. She is present in the prayers of the suffering, in every sincere act of faith and in every humble yes to God’s will.

She remains within the Church as a loving Mother, pointing always towards her Son. Revelation presents her as “a woman clothed with the sun” (Revelation 12:1), while at Cana she gives us the enduring instruction: “Do whatever he tells you” (John 2:5).

PRAYER TO MARY, QUEEN OF HEAVEN

O Mary, crowned with glory, Queen of Heaven and Mother of Mercy, reign in our hearts as you reign beside your Son.

Teach us the humility that exalted you, the faith that sustained you and the love that made you Mother of us all.

Intercede for us now and at the hour of our death, that we may one day share in the joy of eternal life with your Son. Amen

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Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 22 August.

O powerful Queen, our Mother Mary, God so willed from before the onset of time that you would nullify the act of the first Eve’s defiance of God’s Will, and become the new Eve with absolute obedience to the Creator’s Will.

Jesus was ordained to be king of all creation, and in dependence on Jesus, you would be queen. All other titles to queenship derive from this eternal intention of God. As the glorified Jesus remains with us as our king till the end of time, so also, you, by your preeminent perfection, and because of your intercessory power would reign in the heavens as queen.

Neither the human tongue nor the mind of the angels that live beyond this universe can give worthy praise to you, through whom it has been granted to gaze clearly on the glory of the Lord.

May the light of your faith dispel the darkness of our souls. Jesus reflects on you, heavenly Mother, the glory, the majesty and the dominion of his kingdom for the work of human Redemption as cooperator, and you are the deserving recipient in the distribution of the graces which flow from the Redemption.

Jesus is King throughout all eternity by nature and by right of conquest, through Him, with Him, and subordinate to Him, you, Mary are Queen by grace, by divine relationship, by right of conquest, and by singular choice. You rule with the strength of love and mercy, seeking only to serve God and care for His children.

With gratitude we turn to you, imploring you to protect us in this life and welcome each of us to the eternal Kingdom of God. My beloved Mother, grant that I may have no other spirit but your spirit, to know Jesus Christ and His Divine will and to praise and glorify the Lord. Amen