The Memorial of the Queenship of Mary

The meaning of the celebration

+ The celebration of the “Queenship of Mary” was created by Pope Pius XII in 1954.

+ This memorial provides us with an opportunity to continue our celebration of the Assumption of Mary (celebrated on August 15) and to honor the special place that Mary has within the communion of saints.

+ The Memorial of the Queenship of Mary is a wonderful day to pray the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary, uniting our personal prayer with the prayer of the Church.

Worth knowing

This celebration was originally celebrated on May 31. During the reforms of the Liturgical Calendar under Blessed Pope Paul VI in 1969, the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary was moved to August 22, the octave day of the Solemnity of the Assumption. The Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (formerly celebrated on July 2) was moved to May 31 so that it’s celebration would take place before the Solemnity of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist on June 24.

For reflection

“As Christ is our Lord and King by a special title because He redeemed us, so the Blessed Virgin (is our Lady and Queen) because of the unique way in which she has cooperated toward our redemption by giving of her own substance, by offering Him willingly for us, and by desiring, praying, and bringing about our salvation in a singular way.”—Pope Pius XII

Prayer

O God, who made the Mother of your Son
to be our Mother and our Queen,
graciously grant that, sustained by her intercession,
we may attain in the heavenly Kingdom
the glory promised to your children.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.