The Queenship of Mary invites us to love Christ by loving and serving his Mother.”

Magnificat, Aug 22, 2020

Feast of the Memorial of The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

by Reason2bCatholic

Each year on August 22nd the Catholic Church celebrates a memorial feast recognizing the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven. As the earliest centuries of Apostolic tradition recognized and handed down to the Christian faithful, up to present day:  “The Blessed Virgin Mary has been crowned Queen in virtue of the Lord Jesus Christ, her Son, who is the King of the universe. In heaven as on earth, she points the way not to her own glory but to his, with which she has been robed and which she seeks only to reflect” (Magnificat, Aug 22, 2020).

The idea of Queen Mother may be foreign to American or Anglo-European sensibilities, since it was common in European ages to recognize the wife of a ruling king as his queen. Yet, we must remember that in ancient Middle Eastern cultures it was commonplace for tribal rulers to have many wives. Therefore, the queen would not be one of the king’s spouses but, rather, the king’s mother. To do otherwise would present quite the king’s challenge among the many wives vying for such a crown. For evidence we need not look any further than Old Testament books.

Many saints through the ages have had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, most recent and notable: Saint Louis de Montfort, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Saint John Paul II, to name a few. Pope John Paul II’s episcopal motto, in fact, was, Totus Tuus, from the Latin meaning all yours. According to his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae he borrowed the motto from the Marian consecrating prayer found in the book True Devotion to Mary by Louis de Montfort, to express his personal Consecration to Mary based on the spiritual approach of de Montfort and the Mariology in his works. The pontiff explained the meaning further in his book Crossing the Threshold of Hope where he defines it as not only an expression of piety but also of devotion that is deeply rooted in the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity (source: Wikipedia).

In Catholic teaching consecration to Mary does not diminish or substitute the love of God, but enhances it, for all consecration is ultimately made to God (source: Trigilio, John and Brighenti, Kenneth, The Catholicism Answer Book, 2007, p. 325). As our good friends at Magnificat Magazine note:  “Thus, today’s feast reminds us that we can turn to Mary in every need, counting on her intercession and mediation.”

For the Reason2bCatholic Marian Prayer of Consecration, click here.

Peace be with you!

Disciple of Christ | Son of the Church

[Mary] has a right to be loved as Queen of all hearts so that through her, hearts would be cleansed and themselves become immaculate, similar and like unto her own heart, and so worthy of union with God.”

Saint Maximilian Kolbe

Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us.

Be not afraid!  And may the peace of Christ be with you and your loved ones today and always.  Holy Family, pray for us.  Amen.