Read today's Saint of the Day to understand the Queenship of Mary! 🙏
Hello John,
Today's Saint of the Day highlights the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary's queenship, established by Pope Pius XII in 1954. This feast has its roots in Scripture and celebrates Mary's close association with Jesus, as well as her intercessory power. It is a logical follow-up to the Assumption and is now celebrated on the octave day of that feast. Your support can help us continue to share inspiring stories like this. Please consider making a donation to Franciscan Media today and join us in our mission to spread the messages of faith, hope, and love to the world. Donate today! |
Saint of the Day for August 22: Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Story of the Queenship of Mary Pope Pius XII established this feast in 1954. But the Blessed Virgin Mary’s queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation, Gabriel 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. Hymns of the 11th to 13th centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” “Hail, Queen of Heaven,” “Queen of Heaven.” The Dominican rosary and the Franciscan crown as well as numerous invocations in Mary’s litany celebrate her queenship. The feast is a logical follow-up to the Assumption, and is now celebrated on the octave day of that feast. In his 1954 encyclical To the Queen of Heaven, Pius XII points out that Mary deserves the title because she is Mother of God, because she is closely associated as the New Eve with Jesus’ redemptive work, because of her preeminent perfection, and because of her intercessory power. Reflection As Saint Paul suggests in Romans 8:28–30, God has predestined human beings from all eternity to share the image of his Son. All the more was Mary predestined to be the mother of Jesus. As Jesus was to be king of all creation, Mary, in dependence on Jesus, was to be queen. All other titles to queenship derive from this eternal intention of God. As Jesus exercised his kingship on earth by serving his Father and his fellow human beings, so did Mary exercise her queenship. As the glorified Jesus remains with us as our king till the end of time (Matthew 28:20), so does Mary, who was assumed into heaven and crowned queen of heaven and earth.
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Recently featured on TV! A wonderful weekly devotional guide featuring hundreds of inspiring reflections and prayers for each weekday. Three Minutes with God: Reflections and Prayers to Encourage, Inspire and Motivate |
Creation Never Hurries I can’t begin to understand it or explain it, but among the trees of Albright Grove, surviving so stubbornly the ravages of nature and of humankind, I felt some confidence and hope that things will be all right, in a way and on a scale that far transcends me and my lifespan. I still hold out hope that our species will finally learn to live peaceably among our nonhuman kin, rather than extinguish ourselves because we have failed in that learning. But, either way, the trees will flourish—life will flourish. In time, cutover lands will become old-growth forests once again, and the broken and damaged webs of life will reweave themselves: Resurrection and redemption will happen. Creation will not hurry. Yet, as life thrives and evolves, God will accomplish everything. —from Franciscan Spirit's “The Wisdom of Trees“
by Kyle Kramer |
Discover this updated classic from Murray Bodo, OFM "To pray is the privilege of every child of God." - Song of the Sparrow: Four Seasons of Prayer |
Waiting for Inspiration Reflect For those with a creative streak, the actual process of creation can sometimes be a painstaking one. Whether the medium is canvas or clay, whether a person finds his/her passion making food in the kitchen or seated in front of a piano, the same creative energy is at play. But when that energy dwindles or disappears, it can be frustrating. Our connection to God can help rekindle the flames of inspiration. Pray Creator and creative God,
Our various abilities and gifts to celebrate and beautify life
Stem from your ever-flowing abundance, generosity, and goodness.
We thank you for endowing us with the spark of creativity,
And we ask for your guidance to channel that energy to building your kingdom.
Help us, Lord, when we are running low on inspiration
To remember that your Spirit is a well from which we can draw at any time,
If we but turn to you and raise a prayer. Amen. Act Do you have a creative outlet? If so, spend a few minutes today practicing your craft. Many of us are quite good at putting off doing things that we even enjoy because they often require some effort. But these activities also give us and those around us energy. If you’re not a creative type, you can still engage with the arts and absorb the same energy that went into their creation. Today's Pause+Pray was written by Daniel Imwalle. Learn more here! |
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