His Word Today: Queenship of Mary

The Coronation of the Virgin
by Fra Angelico (1395-1455)

Good morning everyone,

Today, the Church celebrates the liturgical Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  This feast was established in 1954 by Pope Pius XII - the same Pope who solemnly decreed the Church's belief in the Assumption of Mary into heaven.

Mary's queenship has its roots in scripture:  at the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38), the archangel Gabriel announces that Mary's son would receive the throne of his ancestor David, and ... rule over the house of Jacob forever.  At the Visitation (Lk 1:39-45), Elizabeth refers to Mary as the mother of my Lord.  Throughout the significant moments in Mary's life, she was always associated with her son Jesus.  Her queenship is therefore understood as a share in Jesus' kingship.

Today's festivity falls on the octave (the eighth day) following the liturgical solemnity of the Assumption of Mary.  In the encyclical entitled Ad Caeli Reginam (To the Queen of Heaven) in which Pope Pius XII established today's Memorial, His Holiness pointed out that Mary deserves the title of Queen of Heaven because she is the mother of God, because she is so closely associated with the redemptive work of her son Jesus (ACR, 38), because of her pre-eminent perfection and because of her intercessory power (ACR, 39).

While on earth, Jesus established his kingship based in service to others and Mary too exercised her queenship through service.  Now, we believe that the glorified Jesus remains with us always as our king until the end of the age (Mt 28:20) and Mary, who was assumed into heaven and crowned as queen of heaven and earth remains by our side, interceding for us and helping us as we journey to our heavenly homeland.

Have a great day.