It was not enough that Mary should be re- ceived into Heaven. Mary was, by her perfect and unfailing conformity to the will of God throughout her life, raised to a pre-eminence to which none other of the saints could attain. By her co-operation in the Passion of her Son she had a dignity beyond the reach even of the highest of archangels. Mary was to be crowned Queen of Heaven by the Eternal Father: she was to have a throne at her Son's right hand.

Mary, too, enjoyed a happiness different from that of all the other saints. All others knew that if they had been more faithful they might have been more full of happiness. Though their happiness is perfect, it is not perfect with the same perfection as Mary's. She possesses all that it was possible for God in the present order to bestow upon her. What must be her happiness now? Short only of the infinite happiness of the Infinite God!

But Mary is not Queen of Heaven only for her own sake, but also for ours. Day by day, hour by hour, she is praying for us, obtaining graces for us, preserving us from danger, shielding us from temptation, showering her blessings upon us. She is our dear Mother as well as Queen of Heaven. How she loves us! What confidence we should have in her! Once more we will cry out:

O Mary, conceived without sin!
O Mary, Queen of Heaven,
Pray for us who have recourse to thee.



      Previous                   Home