Queenship of Mary, feast 22nd August

On the Octave day of the traditional date of the Assumption (15^th August) the universal church observes the memorial of the Queenship of Mary, closely connected with the mystery of her Assumption. The Second Vatican Council taught that Mary, “taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, [was] exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and the conqueror of sin and death.” (Lumen Gentium No. 59).

“Through the Virgin Mary let us turn with trust to the One who rules the world and holds in his hand the future of the universe. For centuries she has been invoked as the celestial Queen of Heaven; in the Litany of Loreto after the prayer of the holy Rosary, she is implored eight times: as Queen of Angels, of Patriarchs, of Prophets, of Apostles, of Martyrs, of Confessors, of Virgins, of all the Saints and of Families. The rhythm of these ancient invocations and daily prayers, such as the Salve Regina, help us to understand that the Blessed Virgin, as our Mother beside her Son Jesus in the glory of heaven, is always with us in the daily events of our life.”