The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On Tuesday 22nd August we celebrate the memoria of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This memoria, celebrated on the Octave day of the Assumption, is also commemorated in the fifth glorious mystery of the Rosary.

Why do we honour Mary as Queen? I am often asked. At the Annunciation, Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, she is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ Kingship. The idea of a Queen Regnant did not come about until the 16th century and is not implied in this title. Rather, this memoria reminds us that Mary is Queen because she is the Mother of Christ the King. In the Old Testament, we hear of many occasions when the mother of the King has great influence in court, so Mary as Queen Mother, is the great advocate for us with her Son.

In the fourth century, Saint Ephrem called Mary “Lady” and “Queen.” Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as Queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.” There are numerous invocations in Mary’s litany which celebrate her Queenship.