“Hail, Holy Queen” – our Mother, the Mother of our Lord will always care for and intercede for us
Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 22, 2018): EZ 34:1-11; PS 23: 1-3,3-4,5,6; MT 20:1-16
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
In the 1954 papal encyclical Ad caeli reginam (To the Queen of Heaven), St. John Damascene, a 7th-century priest and doctor of the Church, is quoted: “When she became Mother of the Creator, she truly became Queen of every creature.”
While Mary is now officially recognized by the Church as Queen of Heaven, this title has been used by many Christians for fifteen hundred years or more. Prayers, hymns and works of art have long paid this appropriate tribute to our Mother and Queen. Many churches and schools hold an annual May crowning of a statue of Mary, often accompanied by a procession. The Rosary itself honors Mary’s coronation as the last of the Glorious mysteries and no Rosary is complete without reciting the “Hail, Holy Queen.”
Yet it is only when we see the Blessed Virgin Mary’s role as Queen in relationship with her Son that we can really grasp its meaning. She is the mother of Jesus Christ our King and Savior. She spent her whole life on earth in loyal service to God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – just as she does her eternity in heaven. Her glory through her Son and Lord reassures us of our own glory to come. Certainly she prayed the beautiful words of the 23rd Psalm with Jesus: “Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days” (Psalm 23:6). So shall we who love and believe in Christ, the Son of God and Son of Mary.
Suggested missionary action: We can ask Mary our dear Mother and Queen to help us grow closer to Her Son and in caring for His people each day, just as she does. Let us also pray the “Hail, Holy Queen” slowly and attentively.