QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS

(1) MARY, you are the Queen of all saints because you made the most diligent use of the rich treasure of grace which God granted to you. Your understanding was always occupied in learning to know and praise God; your heart loved Him above all things. You zealously accepted every inspiration to good. You never received a grace with which you did not faithfully cooperate, a thing which cannot be said even of the greatest saints. Thus sanctifying grace was increased in your soul in a most wonderful degree.

Because you were full of grace, you also excelled in every virtue in a far greater measure than every other saint. In each of the saints there shone some particular virtue, some trait of the life of their divine Master, but all the traits of Jesus were expressed in you as faithfully as they could be expressed in any creature. Because of the fullness of grace and the splendor of your virtues you are raised above all the saints; you are their Queen.

Queen of all Saints, teach me to think frequently of the happiness which the saints enjoy in heaven that I may never grow weary of working for its infinite joys, for, as St. Paul reminds me, "Eye has not seen nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love him." (1 Cor. 2,9).

(2) MARY, you are raised above all the saints in glory. Chosen from among all the children of men, you sit on a throne of surpassing splendor, in the works of the Scripture: "She shall be admired in the holy assembly, and in the multitude of the elect she shall have praise; and among the blessed she shall be blessed" (Ecclus. 24,3).

How beautifully does the Old Testament speak of your beauty and majesty! The Jewish people admired most the cedar tree for its strength, the cypress for its great height, the palm for its slender growth, and the olive tree for its fruitfulness. To these trees you are compared. "I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon, and as a cypress tree on Mount Sion. I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades, and as a fair olive tree in the plains" (Ecclus. 24,17).

Since among the shrubs the vine is the most noble, the Scripture puts these words on your lips: "As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant fruit" (Ecclus. 24,23). Among the flowers the red rose is the most beautiful: "I grew as a rose plant in Jericho" (Ecclus. 24,18). Among the spices cinnamon and aromatic balsam are the most precious: "I have a sweet smell like cinnamon and aromatic balm" (Ecclus. 24,30). The beauty of your virtue surpasses that of all the saints so that in the Canticle it is said of you: "Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, awe-inspiring as an army set in array" (6,9).

Queen of All Saints, as you surpass all saints in the grace of a virtuous life and merits, so you stand higher than all the elect in the grace of glory and reward. After God there is no greater bliss for the blessed in heaven than to behold you, their glorious Queen.

(3) MARY, of all creatures you possess the highest power in heaven as the Mother of God. You pray, but not in the way the saints do; in a way you command. Though omnipotent, Jesus cannot resist the motherly authority He Himself gave you. To you all power is given in heaven and on earth. Nothing is impossible with you, for how can He resist your appeal who has assumed flesh of your flesh? You use this wonderful power for the benefit of your children, especially those who tenderly love you and venerate you as their Mother.

Queen of All Saints, keep me ever mindful that God has created me to live a life of holiness in this world and to become a saint in heaven. He will give me enough grace to do this if only I have an earnest desire for holiness. I know that holiness does not consist in heroic deeds, but in doing the will of God perfectly, loving God with all my heart and my neighbor for God's sake, keeping my soul from sin, and being united with God through prayer and the sacraments. Since you have more power than all the saints, obtain for me this grace above all others, that I may imitate your holiness in this world and enjoy the vision of God and your presence for all eternity in heaven.

O God, You have given us the Blessed Virgin Mary that we might venerate her as the Queen of All Saints and the Mother of Fair Love; mercifully grant that under her protection we may love You above all things here on earth and enjoy the happy companionship of all Your Saints in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Mary, Queen of All Saints, May 31)