Our Lady, Mother and Queen, is the Blessed Virgin Mary, revered as the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven and Earth, serving as a powerful intercessor and a perfect model of faith for all believers.
Our Lady, Mother and Queen, refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who holds a unique and preeminent place as the Mother of Jesus Christ. Her title "Mother" emphasizes her divine maternity and her spiritual motherhood to all believers, while "Queen" signifies her supreme dignity and royal authority, derived from her Son's kingship over all creation. She is known for her perfect obedience to God's will, her Immaculate Conception, her perpetual virginity, and her Assumption into Heaven, serving as an enduring model of holiness, humility, and unwavering faith. She continuously guides and protects her children through her powerful intercession, inviting them to draw closer to Christ.
Our Lady, Mother and Queen, is the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose life is an unparalleled testament to divine grace and human cooperation with God's will. From the moment of her Immaculate Conception, preserved free from all stain of original sin by a singular grace of God in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, she was set apart for a unique mission. Born of Saints Joachim and Anne, Mary grew up in humble Nazareth, a devout Jewish maiden deeply steeped in the traditions and prophecies of her people. Her profound purity and unwavering faith prepared her for the pivotal moment of the Annunciation, when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to her, announcing that she would conceive and bear a son, Jesus, who would be called Son of the Most High. Mary's humble yet profound response, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word," encapsulates her perfect obedience and willingness to embrace God's extraordinary plan, setting the course for the Incarnation of the Word. This 'fiat' was not merely acceptance but an active participation in the divine initiative, making her the first and most perfect disciple.
Following the Annunciation, Mary embarked on a journey of profound mystery and maternal love. Her visit to her cousin Elizabeth, who was also miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist, led to the inspired utterance of the Magnificat, a hymn of praise that reveals Mary's deep understanding of God's justice and mercy, and her prophetic vision of her own blessedness throughout all generations. As the Mother of God, the Theotokos, Mary bore Jesus in Bethlehem, bringing forth the Light of the World in humble circumstances. Her life with Jesus during His hidden years in Nazareth, marked by quiet contemplation and unwavering trust, allowed her to "ponder all these things in her heart." She nurtured and raised the Incarnate Word, providing Him with human love and care, a role of immense significance as she prepared Him for His public ministry. Every step of Jesus's early life, from His presentation in the Temple to the flight into Egypt, involved Mary's loving participation and unwavering commitment.
Mary's maternal presence continued throughout Jesus's public life, though often in the background, yet always significant. Her gentle intercession at the Wedding at Cana, where she simply instructed the servants, "Do whatever he tells you," marked the beginning of Jesus's public miracles, demonstrating her influence and her desire to alleviate human suffering. However, it was at the foot of the Cross on Calvary that Mary's role as Mother of Sorrows reached its agonizing pinnacle. Standing steadfastly beneath her dying Son, she shared in His suffering in a profound and unique way, participating in His redemptive sacrifice with a mother's heart. It was here that Jesus, looking upon His mother and the beloved disciple John, declared, "Woman, behold your son," and to John, "Behold, your mother." This moment is understood as Jesus entrusting Mary as the spiritual mother of all believers, and particularly of the Church, establishing her ongoing maternal care for humanity.
After the Ascension of Jesus into heaven, Mary remained a central figure in the nascent Christian community. She was present with the Apostles in the Upper Room, praying fervently, awaiting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Her presence provided comfort, guidance, and a living link to Jesus for the early Church. Tradition holds that she continued to live among the Apostles, particularly under the care of John, until the end of her earthly life. When her earthly journey was complete, Mary did not undergo the decay of the tomb. By a singular privilege, at the completion of her earthly life, she was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. This dogma of the Assumption, solemnly defined by Pope Pius XII in 1950, affirms her unique place in salvation history and her prefigurement of the Church's ultimate destiny. It signifies her complete triumph over sin and death, sharing fully in her Son's resurrection.
The glorification of Mary in heaven, particularly her Assumption, forms the basis for her Queenship. As Pope Pius XII articulated in his 1954 encyclical *Ad Caeli Reginam* (To the Queen of Heaven), Mary is rightly called Queen not only because of her Divine Motherhood, which unites her intimately with Christ, the King of the Universe, but also because of her singular participation in His redemptive work. Her queenship is not one of earthly power, but of grace and service. She is Queen by right of her Son, the King, and by her meritorious cooperation in the salvation of humanity. This title reflects her exalted status in heaven, where she reigns with Christ, exercising a motherly intercession for all people. The feast of the Queenship of Mary was established to be celebrated on August 22nd, eight days after the Solemnity of the Assumption, emphasizing the direct connection between her glorious assumption into heaven and her royal coronation by Christ.
As Our Lady, Mother and Queen, Mary continues her vital role in the Christian life and the Church today. She is revered as the spiritual Mother of all humanity, a powerful intercessor who brings the needs of her children before her Son. Her life serves as a perfect model of faith, humility, and obedience to God's will, inspiring believers to cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ. Devotion to Mary, far from detracting from the worship of God, always leads to Christ, as she consistently points to Him with her words, "Do whatever he tells you." Her Queenship signifies her universal spiritual dominion, under Christ, over the Church and all creation. Through her motherly care and queenly intercession, she guides the faithful on their pilgrimage to heaven, offering hope, protection, and a constant reminder of God's boundless love and mercy.
In the bustling village of Cana in Galilee, a wedding feast was underway, filled with joyous laughter, music, and the clinking of wine cups. Among the guests were Jesus, His disciples, and His mother, Mary. As the celebration progressed, a quiet concern began to ripple through the host's family: the wine was running out. This was not merely an inconvenience; it was a social disgrace that could bring shame upon the newlywed couple and their families. Mary, ever attentive to the needs of others, noticed the hosts' distress. Her heart, so full of compassion, could not bear to see their joy turn to embarrassment.
Without hesitation, Mary turned to her Son, Jesus, and simply stated, "They have no wine." There was no demand in her voice, no explicit request for a miracle, but rather a gentle, trusting presentation of the problem. Jesus's initial response seemed to be a gentle pushback: "Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come." It was a subtle reminder that His public ministry, and the time for His signs, was divinely appointed, not to be rushed by human need. Yet, Mary's faith was unwavering.
Undeterred by His words, and with complete confidence in His power and love, Mary turned to the servants standing nearby. With a serene and clear voice, she gave them a timeless instruction that echoes through the ages: "Do whatever he tells you." Her words were a testament to her profound trust in Jesus and an implicit command for obedience to His divine will. She knew that even if His 'hour' had not yet fully arrived, His love would compel Him to act. The servants, perhaps sensing the extraordinary nature of her quiet authority, listened intently.
Soon after, Jesus instructed the servants to fill six large stone jars, each holding twenty to thirty gallons, with water. The servants, without questioning, diligently carried out His command. Then, Jesus told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." The headwaiter, upon tasting the water—now miraculously transformed into the finest wine—was astonished. He called the bridegroom and exclaimed, "Everyone else serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now."
This first of Jesus's signs, performed at Mary's gentle intercession, revealed His glory and confirmed the faith of His disciples. Mary's role in this event beautifully illustrates her character: her maternal solicitude for others, her profound faith in her Son's divine power, and her pivotal role as an intercessor. She is the Mother who observes our needs, presents them to Christ, and encourages us to trust and obey Him, always leading us to "Do whatever He tells you."
Circa 1st Century BC
And Mary said:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
October 11, 1954
From the earliest ages of the Catholic Church a Christian people, whether in time of triumph or more especially in time of tribulation, has ever addressed prayers of petition and hymns of praise and veneration to the Queen of Heaven. And never has that hope wavered which they placed in the Mother of the Divine King, Jesus Christ; nor has that faith ever failed by which we are taught that Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, is the mother of us all, especially of those who are reborn in the Mystical Body of Christ. And since in the course of the liturgical year the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated with solemn rites in every part of the world, it is fitting that the Christian people, who are so powerfully sustained by the patronage of Mary, should also celebrate a Feast in which Mary's universal Queenship would be plainly shown and honored.
The Sacred Scriptures and the ancient tradition of the Church clearly testify that Mary is the Queen of Heaven and earth, and that she is truly Mother of the Divine King, Jesus Christ. The Church, in its various forms, has always recognized Mary's queenship. From the earliest days of the Church, the faithful have revered Mary as Queen, not only in their private prayers but also in the public liturgy. The Church has consistently taught that Mary is Queen because of her Divine Motherhood and her unique participation in the work of her Son's redemption. She is Queen because she is Mother of God, and because she is intimately associated with her Son's kingship.
The argument for Mary's Queenship rests upon the principle that she, as Mother of God, is intimately united to Christ, who is King by nature. In the economy of salvation, Mary's role is unique. She conceived the Son of God, nourished Him, and brought Him forth into the world. She stood by Him at the foot of the Cross, sharing in His suffering for the redemption of humanity. This intimate association with Christ in His work of salvation is the foundation of her Queenship. As Christ is King, so too is His Mother Queen, for she shared in His struggle and His victory. Her Queenship is not one of earthly dominion, but one of grace, mercy, and intercession.
Moreover, the dogma of the Assumption, which we have recently defined, provides new support for the royal dignity of Our Lady. For the magnificent triumph of the Assumption and the great dignity of her Queenship are intimately bound together. Mary, preserved free from all stain of original sin, at the end of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory, where she reigns in splendor with her Son. Her Assumption is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and anticipates the resurrection of all believers. Having been taken up into heaven, she is crowned by her Son, the King of the Universe, and reigns as Queen over all creation, exercising her maternal intercession for the whole human race.
Therefore, by Our Apostolic Authority We proclaim and establish the feast of Mary's Queenship, to be celebrated annually throughout the entire world on May 31. We command that on this day there be renewed the consecration of the world to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We are confident that this Feast will contribute greatly to the veneration of the Blessed Virgin and to the strengthening of the Christian people, who will thus be more devoted to their heavenly Mother and Queen. For her Queenship is a source of hope and comfort, reminding us that she, who is so close to God, constantly intercedes for us and leads us to her Son, the King of eternal glory.
We trust that this feast will bring abundant graces to the Church and to the world, fostering a deeper love for Mary and a more profound commitment to living the Gospel. May the faithful, by honoring Mary as Queen, be inspired to imitate her virtues, especially her humility, obedience, and unwavering faith, so that they too may one day share in the eternal reign of Christ the King, under the maternal gaze of Mary, Our Lady, Mother and Queen.
Attending Holy Mass with the specific liturgical prayers and readings for the Feast of Our Lady, Mother and Queen.
The feast is an official liturgical observance in the Catholic Church, established by Pope Pius XII, with its own designated Mass propers that emphasize Mary's royal dignity and her role as Mother of God and Queen of Heaven.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary, with a particular focus on the Glorious Mysteries.
The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary culminate with the Assumption of Mary into Heaven and her Coronation as Queen of Heaven and Earth, which directly align with the themes of this feast day.
Crowning statues or images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in churches or homes.
This act visually symbolizes and honors Mary's queenship, acknowledging her royal dignity and authority as Queen of Heaven and Earth, a practice often performed to celebrate her regal title.
Renewing personal or communal consecrations to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Feast of the Queenship of Mary provides a fitting occasion for individuals and groups to reaffirm their devotion and entrustment to Mary, acknowledging her spiritual motherhood and queenship over believers.