Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

After the Ecstasy, the Laundry...

Home
Catholic
What Does It Mean to be a Queen?

What Does It Mean to be a Queen?

Last updated on: August 22, 2016 at 5:13 pm by Cynthia Schrage

What Does It Mean to be a Queen? 2016-08-22T17:13:48-04:00 Cynthia Schrage

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This is an amazing crown, but hers is SO MUCH BETTER!

If you were a queen, what kind of queen would you be? A “good” queen? A bad one?

Can you even imagine it? Perhaps you’ve come to think of queens as people that only show up in fantasy novels like those written by George R.R. Martin (bad queens?) or J.R.R. Tolkein (Galadriel, who is surely a good queen?), from long ago history (Anne Boleyn?), or fairy tales, or stodgy albeit well-dressed elderly ladies like England’s Queen Elizabeth II. Maybe, if you’re young woman, you don’t even want to be a queen. You want to be a princess.

But what does it all mean?

Let’s bypass the evil queens of fantasy novels and badly written historical television dramas. We can get enough of those in a never-ending onslaught of novels and Netflix. Instead, let’s think of the best of queens, the best of ladies, the loveliest of those who ever sat upon a golden throne, enrobed in majesty, her neck slightly bent beneath the weight of a heavily bejeweled crown. Let’s think of Mary, the Mother of Jesus.

Hail, Holy Queen, Enthroned Above!

Today is the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary. What a lovely, lovely feastday. Let’s imagine the Blessed Mother, shall we? She has only been in Heaven for a week now, and still doubtlessly absorbing the wonder of the place. But what is this? Angels, coming for her? Again? And where are they taking her? And what are they placing on her shoulders? This ermine-trimmed robe, heavy with golden embroidery. And where are they leading her? To this astonishing court of thousands? Millions? Singing, shouting in triumph! She might not even know what to make of such grandeur. But, at the end of the red carpet (because of course), she can see her Son. Naturally she moves towards Him, because, in the end, there is nothing left to be done but to move toward the Son.

And He is there, smiling. And she kneels before Him, because of course. Every knee shall bend before Him, the King of kings. And he has a crown so wondrous, so spectacular, it beggars the imagination. Twelve stars, fresh from their orbits, endlessly swirling and twinkling (they make diamonds look dull). And He, grinning like only the Son of such a Mother can, places it on her bent head. And she weeps with joy. And He wipes every tear from her streaming eyes. Because of course. And He gives her His hand, and helps her sit on her throne, soft and cushiony, and covered with jewels and probably held slightly aloft by angels. Nothing is too good for Mary. Nothing.

And she sits on her lovely throne, with her beautiful robe, and her marvelous crown, and Jesus has the angels sing out her many titles:

Holy Mother of God,
Seat of Wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Mediatrix of all graces,
Refuge of sinners,
Queen of Heaven!

And she is smiling, because of course.

You can go through a list of many of her titles and accolades when you recite the Litany of Loreto. But the next time you do, think of what the titles mean. What does it mean that she is a queen? Like a good queen, she doesn’t just sit up there and look amazing. She is busy. God’s Kingdom is never dull, and she is so benevolent, so good and kind, that she cannot bear to see her children (and we are all her children) suffering. She takes endless petitions to the ears of Jesus. She begs him for endless favors and graces for her beloved children. And He cannot refuse her, because what good Son can refuse a request from His Mother? He gives her everything she asks for. Everything. Blessings rain down from her hands like a never-ending shower of dew.

“Despise not our petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer us, O Virgin of virgins, Our Mother!”

We can have every confidence in such a Mother, as we can have every confidence in Her Son.

This is what a real queen is like. This is our Mother.

*****

Image Credit: Crown of Christian IV, of Denmark. More information here.

Catholicism

Spirituality and Theology

Women's Interest

Coronation of the Virgin

Crown

Faith

Mary

Mary (mother of Jesus)

Mother of Jesus

Queen

Royalty

Previous Post

August 12, 2016

Highway Hemline

Next Post

December 29, 2016 When You're Overwhelmed

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A-to-Z Challenge About Me Bible Blogging Books Catholicism Clean Eating Coffee for Your Heart Crafts Culture Dance Depression Faith Fiction Five Favorite Things Five Minute Friday Food Gardening God-Sized Dream Health Home Care & Food Hope Humor Just Write Life Choices Love and Romance Loved Ones Manic Depression Memoir Mental Health Movies Music Nature One Word Photos Poetry Prayers Reviews Same Old Same Old Spirituality and Theology Style Travel Uncategorized Women's Interest Writing

Select a Month April 2017 January 2017 December 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 December 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 February 2015 January 2015 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 January 2012 December 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 October 2010 September 2010 May 2010 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 July 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz