August 22 + Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On the Liturgical Calendar today we celebrate both the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Traditional Calendar) and the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (New Calendar).

Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954, but Mary’s queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel the Archangel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, she is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court.

In the fourth century Saint Ephrem called Mary “Lady” and “Queen.” Later Church fathers and doctors continued to use the title.

Pope Pius XII said, "The purpose of the Feast is that all may recognize more clearly and venerate more devoutly the merciful and motherly sovereignty of her who bore God in her womb." On the day of her Assumption, Mary was solemnly crowned by Christ and received by the whole court of Heaven as Queen.