Reflections on the Coronation of The Blessed Virgin Mary

The Liturgical Calendar marks The Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15^th and in my reflection during the course of that Holy Day of Obligation, I found myself pondering the events handed down through centuries of Catholic tradition. The backdrop is the world in which there seems to be so much darkness, anger, and fear.

Pope Francis, in his address at The Angelus at Noon time at the Vatican asked for the help of Mary to heal the divisions and despair in our world. The Assumption is where I generally reflect on the powerful mystery that Our Lady was assumed body and soul into Heaven, completely uncorrupted by the effects of death.

That tradition and belief makes a great deal of sense if you consider that Jesus, The King of Glory, would do anything for Mary, His Mother. It is substantiated, to a large degree, by the lack of relics connected to The Blessed Mother, there are none. When you consider that every other saint from the time of the apostles and up to more modern saints all have some type of relic attributed to them, it provides credence to the mystery that is the Assumption.

My own personal prayer reflections for the Assumption often center on those in my family, friends, associates, and people I do not know that have just recently died. My prayer offering to Our Lady is that they move from a peaceful death to new life as followers of Jesus, eternal life free from pain or suffering. This is reinforced by the belief that Mary is The Gate of Heaven, and I believe that Our Mother intercedes for us to guide us to Heaven.

My reflection then shifted to The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth, which is designated in Catholic tradition and known most commonly by the Fifth Glorious Mystery of The Holy Rosary. The feast day for The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is on August 22^nd.

I have a calendar on my wall, an “old school” calendar that I refer to that my wife gave to me from a local church. The picture for the month of August is from a famous painter and it depicts The Coronation of The Blessed Virgin Mary. I was looking at some dates on the calendar for another purpose and I started analyzing the picture of the painting.

This event in Catholic tradition makes sense, even though obviously no living person ever witnessed it take place. The crown represents so much more than what we can conceive of it in human terms. The crown represents a special place of honor for Mary in Heaven, where Our Lady intercedes for us before God.

My own prayer life features a routine devotion to Our Blessed Mother with the observance and prayer of The Angelus at Noon and at 6 in the evening each day. It helps me to visualize and conceptualize the role of Mary as Mother of God, and a willing servant of the will of God for Her life. I will pray to Our Lady for peace in the world, for Mary is the Queen of Peace. I will pray for peace in families: in my family, my friends’ families, and all families as Mary is the Queen of Families.

Mary, listens to us and hears our prayers to intercede for us, Her children. I have prayed for all sorts of intentions and have seen results. It is incredible the power of prayer to provide solace and tranquility among the difficulties of life.

The Coronation of Mary is of particular significance as I reflected on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and my own prayer life. The recitation of the Holy Rosary is a central component of the prayer routines of many Catholic followers of Jesus Christ. I know that in my prayer life it is certainly a powerful and important part of my daily offerings of prayer.

The Fifth Glorious Mystery, The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth, can be used several different ways in reflection and prayer. That decade of the Holy Rosary can be used to pray for ten different countries in need of peace, or it could be used to pray for ten different regions of the world in need of peace.

That decade of the Rosary could be used to pray to the Queen of Families for ten people in your family, ten people that are your friends, ten people in your friend’s families, or ten people you work with and their families.

That decade of the Rosary could be used to pray for ten people in your parish or your prayer group and their families. It can be used to pray for ten people who may have hurt you or someone you love at some point, either recently or in the past. That decade of the Rosary could be used to pray for prisoners, world leaders, or leaders of groups which spread hateful messages in the hope that Our Lady will guide them to find the love and peace of Her Son.

The Blessed Virgin Mary was brought into Heaven body and soul and then crowned as Queen to intercede for us, Her children. These recent times in our nation and our world have left people feeling hopeless, powerless, and deeply upset. These are prime moments for us to turn to Our Blessed Mother for help, for hope, and for inner peace.

Our Lady loves us and wants us all to come to know Jesus in a more intimate manner. I encourage you all to pray the Holy Rosary, it is a powerful prayer and pray to Our Mother just like a child, in simple words to express what is burdening your mind and heart. Then wait for the results to manifest themselves in your life.

May the Blessed Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, Queen of Families, Queen of Peace bring peace to your families and peace to our world. May Our Lady guide us all to Jesus, Our Lord and Savior. May Almighty God bless all of you and your families.