The conception of a queen
What makes Mary the “queen” of all saints? She was the one chosen by God Himself from the beginning of creation to be the Mother of His only Son to rescue us from evil, so she had to be someone special.
What makes Mary so special? Catholics honor her because since she is the Mother of God’s Son, she was rescued by God from the stain of Original Sin at her conception (CCC 491) which is the feast we celebrate today.
Therefore, she is the pre-selected immaculate tabernacle for the King of Kings.
The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception proclaims: “From the first moment of her conception, the Blessed Virgin Mary was, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of Mankind, kept free from all stain of original sin” [Pope Pius IX, Ineffabilis Deus (1854): DS 2803].
Tradition also holds that before Mary became the Mother of Christ, she was set apart from her childhood to be a pure offering to God as a consecrated virgin before and after Christ’s birth, as another of the four Marian Dogmas in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (499-507) states: “The deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary’s real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man. In fact, Christ’s birth ‘did not diminish his mother’s virginal integrity but sanctified it.’ And so the liturgy of the Church celebrates Mary as Aeiparthenos, the “Ever-virgin”.
The effects of Mary’s love
Mary’s profound humility and love of God was so unmatched that she willingly accepted God’s invitation to fulfill her role as the Mother of the Redeemer of the World, without the fanfare or worldly acceptance.
In fact, she would suffer (and still does) grievously for it. Mary is a great reminder that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:38-39) because she brought Jesus Christ to the world.
Hymn
Hail, of paradise the portal!
Tree of Life regained, immortal;
Whence, through thee, all sweetness floweth,
And salvation’s fruit still groweth.
Thou our hearts aright inclinest,
On our life’s way brightly shinest;
Us from God’s just anger savest,
Who to man our Saviour gavest.
Hail! Blest shrine of God the Father,
Thither sinners haste to gather;
Pardon for their guilt obtaining,
Freedom from the foe’s enchaining;
Strength from thee the weak shall borrow,
Comfort, thou, of all who sorrow;
From the final wrath tremendous,
Mother of our Christ, defend us.
Star of ocean! Mother fairest!
Who the name of Mary bearest;
In thy bright illumination
Pales each star and constellation.
Hail, O Father! Hail, sweet Mother!
Hail, O Son of God, our Brother!
Let the hosts of heaven adore thee,
Every spirit bow before thee.
Amen.
Mater Amabilis (Mary Most Lovable), pray for us on your feast day.
Hymn Source: Divine Office Breviary, Liturgy of the Hours, December 8, 2022, Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, https://www.universalis.com/-400/readings.htm.