The Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth - Devotion to Mary

 

 

The Crowning of Mary as
Queen of Heaven and Earth

Fruit of the Mystery: Devotion to Mary

Pope Pius XII stated that after Mary was brought to heaven body and soul (the Assumption), she was “exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.”[i] The Church has also identified Mary as the “woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” who is spoken of in Revelation 12:1.

In the times of the kingship of David and his son Solomon, it was not the wife of the king (keep in mind that they had many wives) who was considered queen, rather it was the king’s mother. The queen mother had incredible power and influence in the kingdom. She was referred to as “mother of my Lord”, which is how Elizabeth refers to Mary at the Visitation in Luke 1:43. The tradition that Mary, as mother of Jesus, the Lord of all, is therefore the queen of all has deep roots in Jewish history.[ii] 

Because of her unique role in salvation history and her place as queen of heaven and earth, we are right to have a deep devotion to her. This is not the same as the adoration that is rightly given only to God. Through prayers such as the Rosary and by observing the various liturgical feasts in her honor, we can demonstrate this devotion. Those who do so will be blessed. According to tradition, Mary gave 15 promises of special protection for those who have a devotion to the Rosary to St. Dominic and Blessed Alan de la Roche (see appendix).

Mary is the mother of the Church and the mother of each of us who believe in the promises of Christ. Pope Paul VI stated that “we believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ.”[iii] Mary is the most tender mother who loves us and wants to lead us all to eternal joy in heaven with God. Devotion to Mary helps lead us to Jesus.

In meditating on this mystery of The Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth, may we pray to always be devoted to Mary.

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[i] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 966.

[ii] For a more complete explanation, please see “Is Mary’s Queenship Biblical” by Edward Sri. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/is-marys-queenship-biblical

[iii] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 975.

 

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The Assumption of Mary into Heaven - Union with Christ

 

The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

Fruit of the Mystery: Union with Christ

Long before Pope Pius XII declared the Assumption of Mary to be a dogma of the Church in 1950, Catholic tradition held that Mary was brought body and soul into heaven. In affirming this tradition, Pope Pius XII stated, “Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory.”[i]  

This unique grace was given to Mary because of her esteemed role as the Mother of Christ. However, it prefigures the resurrection of the bodies of all of the faithful. As the Apostles’ Creed states, “We believe in . . . the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.”[ii] We believe that we too will be someday united with Christ, body and soul.

In the meantime, as we walk our earthly pilgrimage, we can long for and hope for that day. We can also pray to be united with Christ as much as we possibly can in this life. Through the Sacraments, especially the gift of the Eucharist, we have the opportunity to commune with Christ in a meaningful way. When we receive the Eucharist, Christ dwells within us. As Jesus stated, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:56).

In addition, we can communicate with Christ in prayer and conform ourselves to his will for our lives. St. Teresa of Avila, a 16^th century Carmelite nun and Doctor of the Church, wrote extensively on the journey to union with Christ through prayer in The Interior Castle. St. Teresa imagined the soul as a castle with many rooms. Through prayer and aligning one’s will to that of God, one progresses deeper into a state of union with Christ, a state that can only be freely achieved through a gift of God. We cannot achieve it on our own, but we can long for it. For it is only in that complete and total union with Christ that we truly become who we were created to be.

In meditating on this mystery of The Assumption of Mary into Heaven, may we pray for union with Christ.

 

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[i] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 966.

[ii] https://www.usccb.org/prayers/apostles-creed

 

The Fruits of the Mysteries of the Rosary is available on Amazon. 

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Purchases made after clicking a link help support this site. Thank you!