The Feast of the Queenship of Mary

*By Dr. Devan

The Church, in her wisdom, has always sought to honor the saints not simply for what they accomplished but for what they represent. Among them all, no one holds as exalted a place as Mary, the Mother of Jesus. She is honored as the first disciple, the most faithful believer, and the one who bore in her womb the King of Kings. It is fitting, therefore, that the Church sets aside a special day to honor her as Queen of Heaven and Earth. This is the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, celebrated every year on August 22.

This feast is not a mere liturgical formality. It is a profound reminder of who Mary is, what she has become, and what she continues to mean for the faithful. It is also a feast that speaks to our own destiny, for Mary’s crown is a foreshadowing of the glory that awaits those who walk faithfully in Christ.

The Origins of the Feast

The roots of Mary’s queenship lie deep within the history of salvation. In the ancient Davidic Kingdom, the mother of the king held a place of great honor. Known as the Gebirah or “Great Lady,” she was revered not because she wielded political power but because of her intimate relationship with the king. She served as intercessor, advisor, and advocate for the people.

In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the heir to David’s throne. If He is King, then His Mother, Mary, takes her place as Queen. This tradition of the Queen Mother provides the theological foundation for the title “Mary, Queen of Heaven.”

Throughout Christian history, Mary’s queenship has been celebrated in hymns, prayers, and art. The Salve Regina (“Hail, Holy Queen”), prayed for centuries, reflects this devotion. By the Middle Ages, the idea of Mary as Queen was firmly rooted in Christian consciousness. Finally, in 1954, Pope Pius XII, through his encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam (“To the Queen of Heaven”), formally established the feast. Originally assigned to May 31, it was later moved to August 22, a week after the Feast of the Assumption, to highlight the connection between Mary’s glorification in heaven and her coronation as Queen.

Mary’s Queenship in Scripture

While Scripture does not use the specific title “Queen of Heaven” for Mary, the biblical foundations are clear. In Luke 1:32–33, the angel Gabriel tells Mary: “The Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.” If Jesus is King, then Mary’s queenship naturally flows from her motherhood.

The Book of Revelation (12:1) offers a striking vision: “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” The Church has long identified this woman with Mary, crowned with glory and dignity.

These passages, along with typology from the Old Testament, provide the foundation for Mary’s title as Queen.

The Nature of Mary’s Queenship

It is crucial to understand that Mary’s queenship is not about worldly power. Her reign is not one of authority but of intercession and love. Unlike earthly queens who rule by decree, Mary reigns by compassion. Her crown is the crown of humility, service, and faithfulness.

When we speak of Mary as Queen, we do not elevate her above Christ. Her queenship is entirely dependent on her Son’s kingship. As the moon reflects the sun, so too does Mary reflect the glory of Christ. She is Queen not because of her own merit alone, but because God, in His grace, exalted her for her fidelity.

Mary as Intercessor and Mother

The Feast of the Queenship of Mary is deeply tied to her role as Mother and Intercessor. Just as at the Wedding Feast of Cana, where she interceded for the hosts by saying to Jesus, “They have no wine,” Mary continues to intercede for her children today.

Her queenship is expressed in this very maternal concern. She is a Queen who bends down to hear the cries of her children, who carries those cries to her Son, and who helps us walk the path of discipleship.

The faithful turn to Mary in prayer not because she replaces Christ but because she leads to Christ. Her queenship is a channel, not a barrier; it is a crown of love, not distance.

The Feast in the Liturgy and Devotion

The Church celebrates this feast with special Masses and prayers. The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary culminate in the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven, a meditation that helps the faithful reflect on her exalted role. Hymns such as “Hail, Holy Queen” and the Litany of Loreto highlight her queenship.

In many places, the feast is celebrated with the crowning of statues of Mary with flowers, a symbolic act that reflects the love of her children for their Mother. This crowning is not about elevating Mary to divinity but about honoring her as the one who bore the divine.

Spiritual Significance for the Faithful

The Feast of the Queenship of Mary carries profound lessons for the Christian life:

Humility Leads to Exaltation – Mary was exalted because she was humble. Her “yes” to God was simple, trusting, and complete. In a world that seeks power and recognition, Mary teaches that greatness lies in surrender to God.

Service as True Royalty – Mary’s queenship is rooted in her service. She reigns not as one who lords over others but as one who serves. In this, she mirrors her Son, who came not to be served but to serve.

Hope of Eternal Glory – Mary’s coronation reminds the faithful of their own destiny. She is the first to share in the fullness of her Son’s resurrection. Where she has gone, we are called to follow.

Motherhood That Endures – Even as Queen, Mary remains our Mother. Her crown does not distance her from us; it draws her nearer, for her glory is the glory of maternal love.

Relevance in the Modern World

In today’s world, the Feast of the Queenship of Mary carries renewed relevance. In societies fractured by division and consumed by the pursuit of power, Mary’s queenship offers a vision of leadership based on compassion and humility.

She is a Queen who does not dominate but unites, who does not command but comforts. In a world where leaders often fail to embody justice and care, Mary’s queenship points to a higher model of service.

Her queenship also reminds us of the dignity of women. Mary, a humble maiden from Nazareth, was crowned with eternal glory, affirming that God exalts those the world might overlook.

The Inner Meaning of Crowning Mary

To crown Mary as Queen is not only an external ritual but an internal act of devotion. It means giving her a place of honor in our own hearts and lives. It means imitating her faith, her trust, and her willingness to say “yes” to God in all things.

When we crown Mary, we are not only recognizing her exalted status but also pledging ourselves to follow her example. We are saying: “Be our Queen, guide our steps, and lead us always to Christ.”

Conclusion: The Queen Who Loves

The Feast of the Queenship of Mary is a feast of love, humility, and hope. It proclaims that the lowly handmaid of the Lord, who once lived in obscurity in Nazareth, is now crowned with glory in heaven. Yet, her crown is not one that distances her from us—it is one that brings her closer.

Mary reigns not with power but with love. She is a Queen who serves, a Mother who intercedes, and a disciple who points us always to Christ. In celebrating her queenship, the Church is not only honoring her but also reminding all believers of their own call to glory.

Her crown is the assurance that the path of humility leads to exaltation, that the way of service leads to greatness, and that those who are faithful will one day share in the eternal crown of life.

Thus, when we whisper the words “Hail, Holy Queen”, we are not only honoring Mary but also expressing our hope: that she, crowned with glory, will guide us toward the crown that awaits all who are faithful to her Son.

Dr Devan is a Mangaluru-based ENT specialist and author.