It can be hard to imagine the nature of a queen in today’s world. We see queens as a mere honorary title, or a lasting relic of the past. This is how we can possibly view the Queenship of Mary. Maybe it is a nice title given as an award for Mary’s sacrifice and love.
But what does Mary’s title as Queen of Heaven really mean?
Papal Wisdom Shared
In the encyclical of Pope Pius XII titled Ad Caeli Reginam (On Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary), he explains how this title is not merely a token of appreciation, but a confirmation of Mary’s true power in Heaven.
“For from her union with Christ she attains a radiant eminence transcending that of any other creature; from her union with Christ she receives the royal right to dispose of the treasures of the Divine Redeemer's Kingdom; from her union with Christ finally is derived the inexhaustible efficacy of her maternal intercession before the Son and His Father.”
The Assumption and Lumen Gentium
Mary’s Queenship also gives us an awareness of her Assumption; as mentioned in Lumen Gentium,
“Mary was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son.”
Full body and soul, Mary stands as Queen of Heaven. It is not merely a title for honor, but a full expression of Mary’s reign.
Mary’s Witness: Fiat, Cana, Calvary
As Jesus is King, Mary is Queen Mother. This queenship is not one of subjugation or power—at least not in how we usually understand power. For Mary, her power is in her prayers and love; a deep love for her son, and through that, for humanity, she offers a mother’s plea.
All through her life, Mary demonstrated complete faith and trust in God. From her Fiat (responding “let it be done” to the Archangel Gabriel), to the wedding at Cana, to being there by Jesus as he suffered on the Cross, Mary’s love and hope were always there. That is why we rejoice with supreme gladness that Mary is our queen!
Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us!
Daniel Quintero is a stand-up comedian currently attending Mary, Mother of the Church Catholic Parish. His favorite motto: “Awkwardness does not exist.”
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