Queenship of Mary

Our Lady Queen and Mother

On the octave of the Assumption the liturgical calendar honours the Queen who, as Mother, continues to intercede for all her children.

We believe that after Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven, she was crowned Queen of Heaven. Tradition informs us that Jesus received his mother and enthroned her next to him. Mary shares in the glorified life of her risen Son.

Today's celebration was instituted by Pope Pius XII in his Encyclical of 1954 'Ad caeli reginam'.

St Bernard of Clairvaux wrote of Mary's Queenship: "Just as Mary surpassed in grace all others on earth, so also in heaven is her glory unique. If eye has not seen or ear heard or the human heart conceived what God has prepared for those who love him (I Corinthians 2.9) who can express what he has prepared for the woman who gave him birth and who loved him, as everyone knows, more than anyone else."

The opening prayer of the feast: "Father, You have given us the Mother of Your Son to be our Queen and Mother. With the support of her prayers may we come to share the glory of Your children in the Kingdom of heaven."