All the events of Mary’s life are associated with Jesus. Thus today’s feast of Mary’s queenship has strong Scriptural roots, precisely because Mary’s title as queen is her sharing in Jesus’ kingship. At the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. And at the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary the “mother of my Lord.”

In the fourth century St. Ephrem called Mary “Lady” and “Queen.” Church fathers continued to use the title. Church hymns of the early centuries address Mary as queen: “Hail, Holy Queen,” (Salve Regina) and “Queen of Heaven” (Regina Coeli) are two of them. The Dominican rosary and numerous invocations in the Litany of Loreto celebrate her queenship.

Who among us doesn’t rely on special friends to make our way through life? Today’s feast offers the opportunity to reflect and celebrate Mary as a mentor, a special friend, the mother of Jesus. The hymn below celebrates the special role May plays in my personal life and within our family.

—Jesuit Prayer Team