Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 4-5
O sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Mary, Our Heavenly Queen
Each Advent, a Marian calendar arrives in our family’s mailbox. Each day gives a title or feast associated with Mary. Starting on January 1, we celebrate Mary, Mother of God. As the year closes, we have the beautiful feast days of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Jesuits, on May 24, celebrate Our Lady of the Way, the image of Mary located in the Gésu, the mother church of the Society in Rome. Today, August 22, we celebrate Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Isn’t the title of queen passé in today’s world? However, long ago the queen often undertook the tasks of listening to the poor, sick, and marginalized and providing for them. Thankfully, Mary is our heavenly queen, always listening to our needs and concerns.
Take time today to pray the Litany of the Virgin Mary, and then speak to Mary from your heart.
—Russ Long attends St. Peter Catholic Church, the diocese of Charlotte’s only Jesuit parish. He is active in promoting the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, and participating in the Beyond the Spiritual Exercises program.
Prayer
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To you do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this exile
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.
—Salve Regina (traditional prayer)