The Feast of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated on August 22, honors Mary as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. This feast emphasizes Mary’s exalted role in salvation history and her continued intercession for the Church and humanity.
The title “Queen” is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the Queen Mother held a position of honor and influence in the royal court, and Mary is recognized as the Mother of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Mary’s role is highlighted through her fiat (her yes) to God’s plan, her role in the Incarnation, and her presence throughout Jesus’ life and ministry.
The dogma of the Queenship of Mary was formally established by Pope Pius XII in 1954, in the encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam. The Church honors Mary as Queen not only for her divine motherhood but also for her unique participation in the work of salvation, her virtues, and her close association with Christ’s redemptive mission.
Mary’s queenship is characterized by her humility and service. She reigns not with earthly power but with a maternal care that guides and intercedes for the faithful. This feast encourages the faithful to look to Mary as a model of virtue and to seek her intercession in their daily lives.
Practical Lessons:
Lesson 1: Humility and Service: Mary’s queenship is defined by her humility and service rather than earthly power. Her example encourages us to embrace humility and to serve others selflessly, reflecting Christ’s love and compassion in our actions.Lesson 2: Trust in God’s Plan: Mary’s response to God’s call, despite the challenges she faced, teaches us the importance of trusting in God’s plan for our lives. Her example encourages us to surrender our own plans to God’s will and to remain faithful in our journey, even when it requires sacrifice or trust.
Prayer to the Queen of Heaven:
O Queen of Heaven, most holy Mary, we honor you as our Mother and Queen, who intercedes for us with the Lord. Help us to follow your example of humility and faithfulness. Guide us in our daily lives, that we may live according to God’s will and reflect your love and compassion. Through your intercession, may we grow in holiness and remain steadfast in our faith. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Other Saints We Remember Today
Feast of the Immaculate Heart of MarySaints Timothy, Hippolytus, and Symphorian (3rd Century), Martyrs
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Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash
