22 August 2010: The Queenship of Mary

Mary participates in the glorious and universal kingdom of Christ. This privilege is founded on Mary’s intimate association with the Redemption performed by her Son. She is also the mediatrix of graces, the channel through which grace is distributed to everyone. Let us have recourse to Mary in all our needs. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1617)

Mary is Queen of heaven and earth

“The Mother of Christ is glorified as ‘Queen of the Universe’. She who called herself the ‘handmaid of the Lord’ at the Anunciation remained faithful to what this name expresses throughout her earthly life.

... she confirmed she was a true ‘disciple’ of Christ, who strongly emphasized his mission was one of service: The Son of Man ‘came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ (Mt 20:28).

“Mary became the first of those who, ‘serving Christ also in others, with humility and patience lead their brothers and sisters to that King to serve whom is to reign’ (Lumen Gentium, 36), and she fully achieves that ‘state of royal freedom’ proper to Christ’s disciples:

To serve Christ is to reign with him ... Her ‘glory in serving’ is completely compatible with her royal exaltation. Taken up into heaven, she does not cease her service for our salvation.” (John Paul II, “Redemptoris Mater”, 25 March 1987)

The dogma of the Assumption which we celebrated last week leads naturally to this feast today. Our Lady went to heaven to be crowned by the Blessed Trinity as Queen of all Creation:

“The Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all guilt of original sin, on the completion of her earthly sojourn, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the ‘Lord of lords’ (Rev 19:16), and the conqueror of sin and death.” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 59)

This truth has been affirmed since antiquity by the piety of the faithful, and taught by the Magisterium of the Church. (cf Pius XII, Encyclical, “Ad caeli Reginam”, 11 October 1954)

St Ephraim puts these beautiful words on the lips of Mary: “Let heaven hold me in its embrace, for I am more honored than heaven, since heaven was only your throne, not your Mother. Of course, how much more worthy of honor and veneration than his throne is the Mother of the king!” (”Hymn about the Blessed Virgin Mary”)

It has been popular to affirm Mary’s Queenship through the custom of canonically crowning her images, with the express approval of the Popes. (J Ibañez-F Mendoza, “Mother of the Redeemer”, Madrid 1988)

Since the first centuries Christian art has portrayed Mary as Queen and Empress, amidst angels and seated on a royal throne, with all the wardrobe of such majesty.

Sometimes, she is shown being crowned by her Son. For centuries, the faithful have had recourse to her as Queen through popular prayers like the ‘Salve Regina’, ‘Ave Regina Caelorum’, and ‘Regina Coeli’.

“A great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev 12:1)

“Mary, Virgin without stain, has made up for the fall of Eve: And she has crushed the head of hell’s serpent with her immaculate heel.

“Daughter of God” (the Father), “Mother of God” (the Son), “Spouse of God” (the Holy Spirit) “... The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit crown her rightful Empress of the universe. The angels pay her homage as her subjects ... the patriarchs and prophets and Apostles ... the martyrs ... confessors ... virgins ... all the saints ... and all sinners, and you and I.” (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Holy Rosary”)

When Pius XII instituted this feast day, he invited all Christians to draw near to the “... throne of grace and mercy of our Queen and Mother, to ask her for help in adversity, light in obscurity, and relief in suffering”. (cf Pius XII, Encyclical, “Ad caeli Reginam”, 11 October 1954)

The three features from the Apocalypse used to describe Mary are a symbol of her dignity: ‘clothed with the sun’ means shining with grace as the Mother of God, ‘moon at her feet’ shows power over all created things, ‘crown of twelve stars’, expresses her Queenly dignity and of her rule over all angels and saints. (cf L Castan, “Mary’s Beatitudes”, Madrid 1971)

In the Litany of Loreto, we recall that she is ‘Queen of angels, of patriarchs, of prophets, of apostles, of martyrs, of virgins, and of all saints’. She is also ‘Queen of the family’ and ‘Queen of peace’; our Queen and Lady.

Mary’s rule is daily exercised over all the earth as she generously distributes Our Lord’s grace and mercy. Every day of the week we seek her patronage and ask her protection. On Saturdays many Christians visit one of her numerous shrines. They piously sing or pray the ancient prayer: ‘Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope ...’

Mary reigns over Purgatory, too. Dante declares: “Hail, Holy Queen! singing on and on, close-hid till then beneath the valley’s lee, on flowers and grass I there saw spirits strown.” (“The Divine Comedy: Purgatory”, VII, 82-4) Our Mother constantly leads us to pray and offer suffrages for those still being purified, waiting to enter Heaven.

“Father, you have given us the mother of your Son to be Our Queen and Mother. With the support of her prayers, may we come to share in the glory of your children in the kingdom of heaven.” (“Roman Missal, Opening Prayer”)

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:102-8

Our Lady -- ‘Do not be afraid Mary! ...’ Our Lady was troubled at the presence of the archangel! And I want to throw away those safeguards of modesty that are the shield of my purity! (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Way”, 511)

Prayer

O VICTORIOUS Lady! thou who hast ever such powerful influence with thy divine Son in conquering the hardest of hearts, intercede for those for whom we pray, that their hearts being softened by the rays of divine grace, they may return to the unity of the true faith, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Ref: Very Rev Charles J Callan, OP, STM and Very Rev John A McHugh, OP, STM, “Blessed Be God”, 1925, p436

Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, instituted by Pope Leo IV in the year 847. — Bosius, ii. 2. “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar. (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)

Queenship of Mary - Octave of the Assumption(www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)

Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Ad Caeli Reginam”, Encyclical on Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary, Pope Pius XII, October 11, 1954. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

Seven Joys of Our Lady. Celebrated by Franciscans. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)

Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (traditional).(www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)