Aug. 22, 2011 Monday: Queenship of Mary
Queenship of Mary
Click to hear audio homily
Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But Mary's queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced that Mary's Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary "mother of my Lord." As in all the mysteries of Mary's life, Mary is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus' kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court.
In the fourth century St. Ephrem called Mary "Lady" and "Queen." Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: "Hail, Holy Queen," "Hail, Queen of Heaven," "Queen of Heaven." The Dominican rosary and the Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary's litany celebrate her queenship.
(From www.americancatholic.org)
We can think of today’s feast in connection with the Assumption of Mary, which we celebrated on August 15. Today we think of Mary united with her Son in heaven. She is there—body and soul.
Even though few governments today are monarchies, we can still understand the importance of kings and queens in the history of many countries. A good queen was greatly loved and served with joy. That is the kind of Queen we have in Mary. She is a kind and loving Queen. She is our Mother and Teacher, too.
As our Mother, Mary takes care of us. We never have to be ashamed to ask her for anything. She will give us spiritual gifts. She will help us with our physical needs. She is also our Teacher, because she left us an example of how to be true disciples of Jesus. If we invite Mary to be our Queen, she will teach us many wonderful things about the life of Jesus in us. She will lead us to her Son.
We can honor Mary every day in several ways. We can pray the Hail Mary during the day. We can spend some quiet time in prayer and say the Rosary. We can keep a little statue or picture of Mary nearby to remind us to honor her with prayer. This is the way we make Mary the center and Queen of our hearts.
(From Daughters of St Paul)
Click to hear audio homily
Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But Mary's queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced that Mary's Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary "mother of my Lord." As in all the mysteries of Mary's life, Mary is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus' kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court.
In the fourth century St. Ephrem called Mary "Lady" and "Queen." Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: "Hail, Holy Queen," "Hail, Queen of Heaven," "Queen of Heaven." The Dominican rosary and the Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary's litany celebrate her queenship.
(From www.americancatholic.org)
We can think of today’s feast in connection with the Assumption of Mary, which we celebrated on August 15. Today we think of Mary united with her Son in heaven. She is there—body and soul.
Even though few governments today are monarchies, we can still understand the importance of kings and queens in the history of many countries. A good queen was greatly loved and served with joy. That is the kind of Queen we have in Mary. She is a kind and loving Queen. She is our Mother and Teacher, too.
As our Mother, Mary takes care of us. We never have to be ashamed to ask her for anything. She will give us spiritual gifts. She will help us with our physical needs. She is also our Teacher, because she left us an example of how to be true disciples of Jesus. If we invite Mary to be our Queen, she will teach us many wonderful things about the life of Jesus in us. She will lead us to her Son.
We can honor Mary every day in several ways. We can pray the Hail Mary during the day. We can spend some quiet time in prayer and say the Rosary. We can keep a little statue or picture of Mary nearby to remind us to honor her with prayer. This is the way we make Mary the center and Queen of our hearts.
(From Daughters of St Paul)
