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Crowned in Glory: Mary as Queen of Heaven
Crowned in Glory: Mary as Queen of Heaven
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, holds a place of extraordinary honour within the Catholic faith. Referred to as the Queen of Heaven, her unique role in salvation history and her closeness to God are recognized and treasured by Christians around the world. While our Lord Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, Mary’s queenship speaks to her dignity as His Mother and her loving role as our Spiritual Mother.
From the first centuries of Christianity, believers have been inspired by Mary’s faith, humility, and total obedience to God’s will. Her Queenship is rooted in her divine motherhood: as the Mother of Jesus, the eternal King, Mary is granted a royal dignity unmatched by any other creature. In the biblical tradition, the royal family would honour the Queen Mother, recognising her significance and often seeking her intercessory help. Similarly, Mary’s queenship reflects her special privilege in the heavenly kingdom, sharing in the glory of her Son not as God’s equal, but as His beloved mother.
The Meaning of the Title “Queen of Heaven”
When we call Mary the “Queen of Heaven,” we do not place her on the same level as God. Instead, this beautiful title honours her unique mission—as the Mother of Christ, she is uniquely united to the King of Heaven and Earth. The Scriptures give us a glimpse of this in Revelation 12:1: “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.”
This vision, cherished by Catholic tradition, points to Mary’s spiritual royalty and her victory through faith—a model for all who seek to follow Christ.
Spiritual Mother and Queen: Mary’s Ongoing Care
Mary is also venerated as the New Eve. Through her unwavering obedience, she helped to reverse the effects of Eve’s disobedience, playing an essential part in God’s plan of redemption. She is rightly called the Mother of the Church, continually caring for all Christians as her spiritual children.
Mary’s title as Queen of Heaven does not only look back on her life on earth; it speaks of her ongoing love and intercession for us all. Catholics believe that she never ceases to pray for us, her children, helping us to grow closer to her Son and guiding us safely on our journey of faith.
The Feast of the Queenship of Mary (August 22)
Each year on August 22, the Church joyfully celebrates the Feast of the Queenship of Mary. On this day, we recognise her glory in heaven as our loving Queen and Mother, and we ask her to continue to intercede for the Church on Earth. This feast is an occasion to give thanks for Mary’s care, her example of humility and love, and her unwavering encouragement to trust in Christ, the true King.
As we seek to deepen our devotion to Mary, Queen of Heaven, we are inspired by her faith, moved by her intercession, and renewed in our hope for eternal life. May we always look to her as our mother, our intercessor, and our model of loving discipleship.
To discover more about the Virgin Mary and find resources for your spiritual journey, explore the beautiful writings and books from St Pauls UK.
