Episode 2438: Mary, Queen of Heaven - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints in heaven, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen”
Mary, Queen of Heaven
Welcome to today’s podcast, where we delve into the profound truths about the Blessed Virgin Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort. Mary’s unique role in salvation history is often misunderstood or overlooked, yet it is central to the traditional Catholic faith. Today, we’ll reflect on her authority over the angels and saints in heaven, and the miraculous graces she produces in the souls who are consecrated to her. These insights not only deepen our devotion to Mary but also help us draw closer to her Son, Jesus Christ, through her powerful intercession.
St. Louis Marie de Montfort, a great Marian saint, powerfully expresses Mary’s exalted role in heaven: “Mary has the authority over the angels and the blessed in heaven.” This statement may seem astonishing to some, but it is rooted in the Catholic understanding of Mary as Queen of Heaven. Mary’s queenship is not a result of her own power but is a gift bestowed upon her by God. She was exalted because of her humility and obedience, and now reigns with her Son, Jesus Christ, in heaven.
The roots of Mary’s queenship can be found in Scripture. In the Book of Revelation, we see a vision of her heavenly glory: “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 imagery signifies Mary’s royal dignity as the Mother of the King of Kings. As Queen, she shares in Christ’s reign and exercises a maternal authority over all creation, including the angels and saints.
Mary’s authority, however, is not like earthly power. It is entirely oriented toward bringing souls closer to God. As St. Louis de Montfort teaches, Mary produces "marvels of grace" in the souls who consecrate themselves to her. He writes, “When Mary has struck her roots in a soul, she produces there marvels of grace, which she alone can produce, because she alone is the fruitful Virgin who never has had, and never will have, her equal in purity and in fruitfulness.” Mary’s fruitfulness is unparalleled because she is the Mother of God, and her unique purity makes her the perfect vessel through which God’s graces flow.
One of the greatest marvels of grace produced by Mary is her ability to transform souls. When we entrust ourselves to her, she molds us in the likeness of her Son, helping us grow in holiness and virtue. Her maternal care is evident throughout the history of the Church, where countless saints have testified to the power of Marian devotion in their spiritual lives.
St. Louis de Montfort encourages us to consecrate ourselves entirely to Mary, knowing that she will lead us directly to Jesus. He famously said, “To Jesus through Mary.” This path is not only the safest but also the most effective, for Mary knows exactly how to lead us to her Son. Her intercession is powerful, and through her, we receive the graces necessary to live out our Christian vocation.
Moreover, the Church has always recognized Mary’s special role in the economy of salvation. Pope Pius XII, in his encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam, affirmed Mary’s queenship and explained that she shares in Christ’s reign over the universe. The Catechism of the Catholic Church also teaches that “The Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.” (CCC 969). These titles highlight Mary’s powerful role in interceding for us and distributing God’s graces to the faithful.
The reason Mary is able to exercise such authority and fruitfulness is because of her unparalleled purity and union with God’s will. From the moment of her Immaculate Conception, she was preserved from the stain of original sin, and throughout her life, she remained perfectly obedient to God. Her “fiat” at the Annunciation, when she said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38), set the stage for her unique role in salvation history.
As the Mother of God, Mary continues to exercise her maternal care for the Church. She is always interceding for us, always drawing us closer to her Son. The saints understood this well, and they encourage us to follow their example by deepening our devotion to Mary. When we allow Mary to take root in our souls, she produces marvels of grace, leading us ever closer to Jesus.
Conclusion
In today’s reflection, we have seen how Mary’s authority and fruitfulness are rooted in her unique role as the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. St. Louis de Montfort reminds us that when we consecrate ourselves to Mary, we allow her to work wonders of grace in our souls. Her authority is not one of domination, but of love drawing us closer to Christ and helping us to grow in holiness.
Let us take to heart the teachings of St. Louis de Montfort and entrust ourselves entirely to Mary. By doing so, we allow her to guide us along the path of holiness and draw us ever closer to her Son. As we honor Mary, let us always remember that her mission is to lead us to Jesus, the source of all grace and salvation.
Final Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Queen and Mother. Through her intercession, may we receive the graces we need to live holy lives and to grow ever closer to You. Help us to entrust ourselves entirely to her care, knowing that she will lead us to her Son, Jesus Christ. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.