Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A week after our observance of our Blessed Mother's glorious and bodily Assumption into heaven, we celebrate her heavenly Queenship. Just as her Assumption is the fourth of the Glorious Mysteries of her Most Holy Rosary, the fruit of this mystery being the grace of a happy death, her coronation as Queen of Heaven is the fifth Glorious Mystery. The fruit of this mystery is trust in her intercession.

Hans Urs Von Balthasar believed the Church, in her essence, was Marian prior to being anything else (i.e., Petrine, Pauline, Johannine). So, in the final chapter of his still relevant short treatise, Razing the Bastions, he wrote:

Because the Church (also in her social being) is always present where there is a genuine Christian, and the more purely his Christian existence shines forth and becomes incarnated, the more purely the idea of the Church shines forth, it follows that the Church is present in her purest idea in the bodily Mother and spiritual Bride of the Lord: Mary. Thus, if one speaks of "ecclesial attitude", one must mean the attitude that filled Mary, since she is the embodiment of the Church as lived reality

Today, let us, Eve's poor, banished children, bring our care and concerns to our Blessed Mother, the Queen of Heaven: Remember, O most blessed Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Veni Sancte Spiritus, veni per Mariam