Until 1969, the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Queenship was celebrated on May 31, the end of the month dedicated to her when many groups and parishes honored her with a “May Crowning.” But Pope St. Paul VI moved this celebration to the octave day (the end of eight days after a major feast) of the Solemnity of the Assumption. The Coronation of Mary as Queen of heaven and earth followed her Assumption into heaven and so these two celebrations are now scheduled accordingly.
“Lumen Gentium,” the Second Vatican Council’s document about the Church, states: “Mary was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen of the universe, that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son” (#59). In other words, Mary was more closely associated with her Son’s mission—the salvation of the world—than anyone else. She gave birth to the Savior and stood under the Cross as He offered Himself for the salvation of the world. Now she also shares in her Son’s glory. We recognize Jesus Christ as King and Mary as the Queen Mother.
This feast reminds us that as Jesus rose from the dead and is glorified in heaven, and as His Mother was assumed into heaven at the end of her earthly life and shares in His glory, so we too will rise and share in their glory.
During the Sacrament of Baptism, the newly baptized person is anointed with sacred chrism. The following prayer is recited by the deacon or priest: “God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into his holy people. He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.”
At Baptism we were consecrated with sacred chrism and the Holy Spirit gave us a share in the royal dignity of Jesus and Mary. Crowns and thrones have been prepared for us in the Kingdom of Heaven! St. Peter underscored this fact when he wrote that Christians are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2: 9).
From 1956 to 1964 there was a popular daytime TV show called “Queen for a Day.” Our baptism assures us that we will not only be royalty for a day, but forever, in union with Jesus and Mary in the heavenly kingdom.