Episode 2436: Mary, Queen of Hearts - Morning Episode

Welcome to today's podcast, where we delve into the profound mystery of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We will explore the words of St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Louis de Montfort, alongside the scriptural imagery of Mary as depicted in the Book of Revelation. These reflections will deepen our understanding of Mary's unique role in our salvation and how, through her, we draw closer to Christ. In this episode, we’ll highlight the traditional Catholic perspective on the importance of Marian devotion and the powerful ways in which honoring Mary brings us closer to God.
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Episode Content
St. Robert Bellarmine, a great Doctor of the Church, once wrote, "When we appeal to the throne of grace we do so through Mary, honoring God by honoring His Mother, imitating Him by exalting her, touching the most responsive chord in the Sacred Heart of Christ with the sweet name of Mary." This beautiful expression encapsulates the Catholic understanding that devotion to Mary is not only appropriate but also deeply pleasing to God.
To honor Mary is to honor God, for she is the Mother of His Son, Jesus Christ. Just as Christ loved and honored His Mother, so too should we, as His followers, imitate Him by doing the same. When we approach God through Mary, we are following in the footsteps of Christ Himself, who first came to us through her. This is the profound mystery of the Incarnation: God chose to enter the world through the Virgin Mary, and He continues to pour out His grace upon us through her maternal intercession.
In the Book of Revelation, Mary is depicted in a glorious and exalted manner: "And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Revelation 12:1). This image of Mary, clothed with the sun and crowned with stars, reveals her exalted status in the heavenly realm. She is the Queen of Heaven, honored and glorified by God, and she reigns with Christ in His kingdom. Her queenship, however, is not one of earthly power but of spiritual authority, given to her by God to lead souls to her Son.
St. Louis de Montfort, one of the greatest Marian saints, longed for the day when Mary would reign as Queen in the hearts of all believers. He wrote, "When will the happy time come when the divine Mary will be established Mistress and Queen of all hearts, in order that she may subject them fully to the empire of her great and holy Jesus?" St. Louis understood that true devotion to Mary leads us directly to Christ. When we allow Mary to reign in our hearts, she directs us toward her Son, guiding us in the ways of holiness and obedience to God's will.
This deep Marian devotion is not simply a pious practice; it is a powerful means of growing in sanctity. St. Louis de Montfort envisioned a time when souls would "breathe Mary as the body breathes air." He believed that when this happens, the Holy Ghost would come in abundance, filling souls with His gifts, particularly the gift of wisdom. In other words, a deep and sincere devotion to Mary invites the Holy Spirit into our lives in a special way, leading to profound spiritual transformation.
The key to this transformation is humility and a total reliance on God. Mary, the humble handmaid of the Lord, is our model in this. Her "fiat"—her yes to God's plan—brought about the greatest miracle in human history: the Incarnation of the Son of God. When we entrust ourselves to Mary, we are imitating her humility and openness to God's will. As we say her name with love and reverence, we "touch the most responsive chord in the Sacred Heart of Christ," as St. Robert Bellarmine so beautifully expressed.
This is the heart of Marian devotion: by honoring Mary, we are honoring God. By turning to her in our prayers, we are drawing closer to Christ, who delights in the love and honor we show to His Mother. The saints understood this well, and they encourage us to follow their example of deep devotion to Mary. Through her, we receive the graces we need to live holy lives and to persevere in our journey toward heaven.
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Conclusion
As we conclude today’s reflection, let us remember that devotion to Mary is not a distraction from Christ but a sure path to Him. As St. Louis de Montfort reminds us, when Mary reigns in our hearts, she leads us to her Son, filling our souls with grace and wisdom. And as St. Robert Bellarmine so beautifully stated, when we call upon Mary, we are appealing to the Sacred Heart of Christ in the most pleasing way.
Let us make it our mission to honor Mary daily in our prayers, knowing that in doing so, we are honoring God Himself. May we allow Mary to take her rightful place as Queen in our hearts, guiding us ever closer to Jesus, her Son. Through her intercession, may we receive the graces we need to live holy lives and to remain faithful to Christ.
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Final Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother and Queen. Through her intercession, may we draw closer to You and remain faithful to Your will. Help us to honor her with sincere devotion, knowing that in doing so, we are honoring You. Grant us the grace to follow her example of humility and obedience, that we may grow in holiness and one day share in the glory of Your heavenly kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.