Hail, Holy Queen

One week following the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church observes the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary. The Assumption is the fourth Glorious Mystery of Our Lady's Holy Rosary and the her coronation as Queen of Heaven is the fifth and final of those mysteries. The fruit of the fifth Glorious mystery is trust in Mary's intercession.

While it is usual to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary on Friday, because of today's memorial, I am going to pray the Glorious Mysteries. Our Blessed Mother is not only Queen of Heaven, she is Queen of Peace, Mother of the Prince of Peace. The Holy Father has asked the Church to observe today as a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Ukraine and in Gaza. Peace is a lovely Rosary intention. During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo said:

As our world continues to be wounded by wars in the Holy Land, in Ukraine, and in other parts of the world, I invite all the faithful to live the day of Aug. 22 as a day of prayer and fasting, imploring the Lord to grant us peace and justice, and to wipe away the tears of those who suffer because of ongoing armed conflicts,” he said.

“May Mary, Queen of Peace, intercede so that peoples may find the path of peace”

And so we pray,

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour our death. Amen

Our traditio for this special Friday is Salve Regina.

Let us trust today and always in the intercession of Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven.