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Today's liturgical celebration was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955. But for a long time the Christian people had been proclaiming Mary as Queen. We pray often, "Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy" and during Easter, "Rejoice, Queen of Heaven". Why? Because this feast is based on Scripture:
Mary is Queen because she is the Mother of Christ, Son of David and Son of God. This is what we read in our first reading today from Isaiah, "A child has been born for us, a Son given to us . . . is named Mighty God". And this is what in the Gospel is announced by the Angel to Mary, "You will conceive in your womb and bear a Son . . . who will be the Son of the Most High".
Today, on the eighth day after the Ascension we honour Mary as the supreme fruit of redemption, the most beautiful fruit of the tree of the Cross. As the Mother of the Son of God, prince of peace, whose kingdom will have no end, we come with Her to pray for a kingdom of peace and justice. Mary is Queen, not of power, but of sharing the cooperation in the mission and redemption work of Her Son.
Mary, our Queen, you who stand at the right hand of Christ, arrayed in cloth of gold, pray and intercede for us.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That respect for the environment, God's gift to all men and women, may increase both on a personal level and on that of world public opinion.
Elaboration
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