Biography
“So Bathshe’ba went to King Solomon, to speak to him on behalf of Adoni’jah. And the king rose to meet her, and bowed down to her; then he sat on his throne, and had a seat brought for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right. Then she said, ‘I have one small request to make of you; do not refuse me.’ And the king said to her, ‘Make your request, my mother; for I will not refuse you,’” (1Kings 2:19-20). [1] Although this feast was introduced only in recent times, Mary is depicted in Christian art as a queen already in the sixth century. In two well-known twelfth-century hymns, Mary is saluted: “Hail, O Queen, mother of mercy” and “Hail, Queen of the heavens.” The Christian imagination sees Mary assumed into the royal court of heaven. Her Son joyously greets her. She is welcomed by choirs of angels and a crowd of saints. In filial love Christ crowns Our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth. Through her faith and charity she became the Mother of the Savior (Luke 2). She, the New Eve, crushes the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15). On her head is a crown of twelve stars (Rev. 12:1), and from this exalted position, Our Heavenly Mother aids the Church by her prayers of love and mercy. [2][3][4][5] Written by Sarah Ciotti Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD [1] Revised Standard Version, s.v., “The First Book of the Kings.” [2] Pius XII, Ad Caeli Reginam [Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary], 1954. [3] Vatican Council II, Lumen Gentium [Light of the Nations], 52-69. [4] Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd ed., 963-975. [5] Paul VI, The Credo of the People of God, 1968. Thank you for praying with us. If you feel called, your Lenten offering helps carry this prayer to more hearts and languages. Contribute now