On the Divine Office website, Sarah Ciotti gives us some history about today’s feast:
Although this feast was introduced only in recent times, Mary is depicted in Christian art as a queen already in the sixth century. In two well-known twelfth-century hymns, Mary is saluted: “Hail, O Queen, mother of mercy” and “Hail, Queen of the heavens.”
The Christian imagination sees Mary assumed into the royal court of heaven. Her Son joyously greets her. She is welcomed by choirs of angels and a crowd of saints. In filial love Christ crowns Our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Through her faith and charity she became the Mother of the Savior (Luke 2). She, the New Eve, crushes the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15). On her head is a crown of twelve stars (Rev. 12:1), and from this exalted position, Our Heavenly Mother aids the Church by her prayers of love and mercy.
Mary, as Mother of God, rejoiced in the joy and endured the agony of raising a child “Destined to be the fall and rise of many in Israel”. First the joy of Jesus’ birth and the celebration of the angels, shepherds, and the Wise Men. Then the agony of fleeing to another country where they did not know the language or customs to protect the child. The anxiety of returning home from a Feast at the temple in Jerusalem and losing Jesus in the process. The joy of finding Jesus in the Temple learning from the elders and doctors of his faith.
Mary, the understanding mother, knowing that Jesus needs to start the mission he was born to serve tells the servants at the wedding in Cana to “Do whatever he tells you”.
Mary is there throughout Jesus’ ministry to support and encourage her Son. She is also there for the agony of his trial and crucifixion. Mary’s heart breaks from the suffering of Jesus while knowing that this is what he came to do. Mary, like the other women and John who are standing at the foot of the cross, are in the depths of despair when Jesus dies on the cross.
The joy that Mary felt when she learned that Jesus was risen! She understood all the things that she pondered in her heart over the years. It now made sense.
Mary is an integral part of the early Church and was there on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on them.
Is it any wonder that her body would be assumed into heaven to be with her Son? Is it any wonder that her Son would crown her Queen of Heaven and Earth? His mother was there with him through all of it, the agony and the joy. She deserved this position for her love and the care she gave him. Mary, our Mother, loves and cares for us the same way she does for her Son.
Today, we honor the Queenship of Mary, Mother of God. Together we pray:
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 our exile
show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb,
Jesus.
O clement, O loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us most Holy Mother of God:
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
