The Queenship of Mary

Reflection Date: August 22, 2026 | Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Daily Readings: Ezekiel 43:1-7ab; Matthew 23:1-12

Children of God:
Every August 22, the Catholic Church celebrates the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The devotion to Mary as Queen was already present in the prayers, hymns, and traditions of Christians long before it became a universal liturgical feast. 

In 1954, Pope Pius XII formally established the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen, placing it on May 31 as the culmination of the Marian Year. 

The pope explained that the title was not a new teaching but a recognition of a belief and devotion that were already deeply rooted in the Church's tradition and liturgy. 

After the post-conciliar reform of the liturgical calendar, the celebration was moved to August 22, exactly eight days after the Solemnity of the Assumption, emphasizing the connection between Mary's glorification and her queenship. 

In the course of one of my recent trips abroad, a person who was seeking to understand the Catholic faith asked me a very direct question about this title of Mary: “Is Mary higher than God?” 

The answer is a direct “no.” 

Mary was never placed above God because she was herself a creature who received everything from God and whose greatness came from her unique relationship with Jesus. 

Her queenship was understood in relation to her motherhood of Christ, the King, and her humble participation in the work of salvation. 

The title Queen therefore does not make Mary a rival of God; it points us back to the greatness of the God whom she served with humility.

In the gospel story of Jesus' teaching, He warned His disciples not to imitate religious leaders who loved titles, places of honor, and public recognition. 

Jesus reminded them that the greatest among them should become a servant, because those who exalted themselves would be humbled and those who humbled themselves would be exalted. 

What are our inspirations for today?

First, true greatness is being there for people.

Jesus noticed how some religious leaders enjoyed being called by prestigious titles and being recognized in public. 

He challenged this attitude because religious leadership could easily become a search for importance instead of an opportunity to serve. 

His teaching exposed a temptation that was not limited to religious leaders but could affect anyone who enjoyed being admired or treated as superior.

This is where Mary's queenship becomes important. 

Mary was called Queen, but she never behaved like someone who needed to dominate others. 

She was the woman who accepted God's will, stood beside the cross, accompanied the disciples, and remained close to the community of believers. 

Her greatness did not come from demanding attention but from giving herself in love.

This can speak to us in our families, workplaces, communities, and ministries. 

There are times we seek recognition through our position, influence, achievements, education, connections, or social status. 

Sometimes we want people to notice that we are the one who knows more, does more, gives more, or deserves more. 

Jesus reminds us that the better question is not, “How many people recognize me?” but “How many people experience my service?”

True greatness is being there for people.

Second, the higher our position becomes, the more humble our service should be.

Jesus said, “The greatest among you must be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). 

This reversed the usual way people understood greatness. 

In ordinary society, the person at the top was often the one who received more attention and service, but Jesus presented a different kind of authority. 

For Him, leadership was not a privilege to be enjoyed but a responsibility to be carried.

This also helps us answer the question, “Is Mary higher than God?” 

Of course not. 

Mary's queenship does not compete with God's authority because everything she is and everything she received came from God. 

Her greatness actually points away from herself and toward the One whom she called her Lord. 

The more we understand Mary, the more we see a woman who allowed God to be the center of her life.

That is why Mary's queenship can become a lesson for anyone who holds authority. 

A parent, teacher, manager, priest, bishop, community leader, or public official does not become greater simply because others follow instructions. 

Authority becomes meaningful when it is used to protect, guide, encourage, and serve. 

If we are given a higher position, we should become more approachable, not more distant; more generous, not more demanding; and more humble, not more self-important.

And perhaps we also have to add: more joyful and smiling.

As we reflect, we ask ourselves: How do I respond when I receive recognition, authority, or an important position? 

Do the people around me experience my leadership as service or as a demand for attention and obedience? How can I use whatever influence I have today to make life better for the people entrusted to me?

Children of God:
Mary is great precisely because she never placed herself above God. 

She allowed God to work through her life, her yes, her suffering, her service, and her faithfulness. 

Jesus likewise warned His disciples against turning religious authority into a search for prestige and public admiration. 

This means that the true measure of greatness is not the height of our position but the depth of our service. 

And may we always remember that the closer we come to God, the less we need to stand above others and the more willing we become to stand beside them.