Mary, Queen of All Saints

by Fr. Peter Richard Kenrick (1840)

“After this I saw a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne.” — Apocalypse vii.9

The Most Holy Virgin survived her Divine Son for many years, in which she continued to be the consolation and edification of the infant church. How her heart must have exulted at beholding the name of Jesus honoured throughout the world, and the darkness of idolatry and immorality vanish before the bright light of His everlasting gospel! She doubtless experienced inconceivable joy at the increase of God's kingdom; and felt that all she had endured was more than compensated for by the glorious results which followed the humiliations and sufferings of her Divine Son. But what language can express the intimacy of the union of her soul with God! Although she longed to be dissolved and be with Christ, she patiently submitted to the dispositions of God’s providence, and made her desire of enjoying His heavenly bliss give way to her wish, to promote His love among men. When the time approached, in which she gave up her pure soul to God, how joyfully did she exult at the prospect of passing to the enjoyment of that God, who had done such great things for her, and, through her, for all mankind.

Although Mary was not exempted from the stroke of death, God did not suffer that body of which Jesus Christ assumed flesh, to undergo the consequences of death, or to remain in the grave. “The flesh of Jesus,” says St. Augustin, “was the flesh of Mary,” and as God did not permit His Holy One to see corruption, so He did not permit the immaculate body of the Holy Virgin to moulder in the tomb. Although not an article of faith, it is one of the most sacred and venerable traditions of the Christian church — which cannot be called in question by any of her children, without grievous presumption — that Mary's body, like that of her Divine Son, was raised by God from the grave, and, being united with her sacred soul, assumed into heaven. Hence in the joyous festival of her assumption, which the church has celebrated from the earliest times, this spouse of Jesus Christ calls on her children to exult. “Let us all rejoice in the Lord, while we celebrate the festival of the glorious Virgin Mary, at whose assumption, the angels rejoice and praise the Son of God.” Let us also rejoice with the angels of God, and behold in spirit this holiest and most perfect of God's creatures enter into that heaven, which, through her Son Jesus, she had opened to man. If Solomon, when he saw his mother approach, rose up, and ordered a throne to be placed for her at his right hand, can we doubt but that Christ, of whom Solomon was a type, honoured the approach of his loved and faithful mother, placed her on a throne, far above that on which the highest of the angelic host are seated, — and crowned her Queen of Angels and of Saints.

St Bernard thus invites the daughters of Sion, that is, the children of the church, to contemplate the glory of this heavenly Queen: “Enter and see this great Queen, and the diadem, wherewith her Son has crowned her.” Yes, raise your eyes, O Christian soul, and behold this Queen of all Saints, enjoying the united glories that you have separately considered. See her surrounded by the angelic hosts, and all the heavenly powers, — the cherubim and seraphim, the thrones and dominations; — encircled by the glorious choir of apostles, the venerable company of prophets, and the white-robed army of martyrs. Behold the confessors and virgins, who have followed in her footsteps, by the practice of the evangelical counsels. Admire the holy matrons, who have honoured Mary, that most favoured among women, whose divine maternity has been their consolation and support; and who, in imitation of her, have consecrated to God the gifts they received from Him. See her, in a word, surrounded by all that is holy and venerable in human nature — by the saints of every tribe and tongue, and by those who have sanctified themselves, in humble as well as in elevated stations — in the midst of the corruptions of the world, as well as in the sacred asylums of religious retirement. If the contemplation of each one of these classes be more than sufficient to engross our attention, and excite our admiration, what must be the effect of their united splendours! What the brilliancy of that crown which Mary has received from her Divine Son as Queen of all the Saints! “Who,” asks St Bernard, “can appreciate the brightness of those gems, or name the stare, of whieh the crown of Mary is composed ?” But let us remember, that if we wish to be associated to this glorious group in heaven, we must rank with them on earth, by copying their imitation of the virtues of the Queen of Saints.

EXAMPLE

St Andrew Corsini affords us, in his life, an example from which we may learn how efficacious is the intercession of the Queen of Saints, in withdrawing the sinner from the error of his way, and exciting him to aspire to, and attain, a high degree of perfection. Before the birth of Andrew, he was offered to the Blessed Virgin, by his holy parents as the first fruits of their marriage. On the night in which he was born, his mother, Peregrina, had a dream which filled her with alarm. It seemed to her as if she had brought forth a wolf, who, fleeing to a church, was changed into a lamb. This was a picture of what was afterwards to happen to Andrew. His pious parents employed every care and precaution, to bring him up in the fear of God; but, as too often happens, through the influence of bad company, an immoderate desire of play, and neglect of duty, he fell into the greatest disorders. Dissipation hurried him from one vice to another; until he was without affection for his parents, whom he disobeyed without remorse; so that all who knew him were full of apprehension for the future. Meanwhile, his mother, mindful of her dream, sought consolation from Mary by continual prayer. Andrew, while one day preparing for a party of pleasure, expressed himself in a very disrespectful manner to his mother; she burst into tears, and told him the depth of her affliction. “Indeed, son,” said she “you are the wolf that I saw in my dream.” Somewhat moved at these words, he said: “What do you say mother? Am I a wolf?” Peregrina hereupon related the dream that she had had, and also mentioned that, before his birth, she had offered him to the Blessed Virgin. So great was the impression this made on Andrew, that he was unable to sleep during the following night. The thought, that he had been dedicated to the Mother God occupied his minf. “Virgin Mother,” he at length exclaimed, “because I am thy servant, I will unceasingly serve thee.” At the break of day, he went to the church of the Carmelites, and prostrating himself before an image of Mary, offered himself up to this merciful Mother, and bade her change this wolf into a lamb. He frequently repeated this prayer at length; it was heard. To serve the holy Virgin in a perfect manner, he asked the prior of the convent to admit him into the order. Having obtained this request, he showed, by the piety of his life, that the dream of his mother was not an idle fancy. Andrew made great advances in virtue and was soon an experienced master in perfection. He was subsequently ordained a priest, in obedience to the orders of his superior, and soon after was made bishop. In all the circumstances of his life, he cherished a fervent devotion to Mary, his powerful protectress; and sought, all opportunities of proclaiming her praises. He was called to the nuptials of the heavenly Lamb in 1373, and experienced, in his last hours, the powerful intercession of her, who had procured for him the grace of conversion and inspired him with the desire for perfection.

PRAYER

O, Queen of heaven and of earth! God has loved and honoured thee above all creatures: and now thou are exalted above all saints in the kingdom of heaven. All admire thy virtue and perfection; all praise, and reverence thee as their Queen. O glorious Queen! Despise not my petitions: accept of my homage, my veneration, and my love. I commend myself to thy powerful protection, and dedicate to thee what I am, and what I have. On thee do I found my hope, for although thou art my Queen, thou art also my gracious and amiable Mother. Thou has quitted this world, and entered into possession of thy kingdom. Thy elevation has increased thy compassion for the hapless children of Adam. From the sublime throne on which thou art seated, cast thy merciful eyes on the inhabitants of earth, and take pity on them. Thou seest to what dangers they are exposed, as long as they sail on this tempestuous sea, on which so many have been wrecked. Obtain for me perseverance in the grace of God, that on quitting this world I may chant thy praises and benefits, and, in union with thee, give endless praise and glory to our, common Creator. Amen.

PRACTICE

Resolve to think often of heaven, and make use of every opportunity of impressing yourself with a high idea of its happiness. When you see beautiful objects, think with a holy servant of God: how much more beautiful is God! When you taste any thing that pleases you, think, how much delight is found in the enjoy of heaven. When you hear fine music, think of heaven.

ASPIRATION

O Mary who can refuse to love thee!