Mary Queen of the Apostles
The prayer of the Holy Rosary is the contemplation of the life of Jesus our Savior through Mother Mary.
The prayer of the Hail Mary is taken in part from the greetings of Mary at the Annunciation of the birth of Jesus by Angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26-38). The prayer concludes by invoking Mary’s intercession for us sinners now and the hour of our death.
Mary, being the mother of Jesus Christ was prepared long before her birth no wonder the Church pronounced her “Maria Immaculata”, as she was conceived without original sin. She was already in the plan of salvation long before she was born. Mary responded to the greetings of the archangel and obediently accepts her mission to be the mother of Jesus with her fiat – “be it be done to me according to your will.”
She became the first disciple of Jesus Christ when she accepted the savior in her heart then in her mind even before conceiving Him in her womb. She accompanied her son not only in Nazareth but throughout His ministry culminating her discipleship at the foot of the cross at Golgotha. Here Jesus breathed His last and again the sword pieced her heart.
Jesus did not leave His mother alone. He gave her to His beloved disciple John. Mother, behold your son, John behold your mother. (John 19:26-27). “…and from that moment the disciple took her into his home.”
Mary being the first of the disciples and apostle, Jesus wanted her to be with Him, so she was assumed into Heaven. Being the mother of Lord & king, Jesus further gave her more accolades and “crowned her Queen of heaven.” Being Queen of Heaven she is also:
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace.
(From the Litany of Loreto)
More important she is Queen of Apostles.
She was with the Apostles in the ‘upper room’ on Pentecost day when the Holy Spirit descended on them as “tongues of fire.” This was her second Pentecost since her first one was when the Holy Spirit overshadowed her at the conception of Jesus (Luke 1:35).
Filled with the Holy Spirit, the Queen of Apostles teaches us how to magnify the Lord. This is evidenced during her visit in hills of Judea to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth. When Mary meets Elizabeth and the latter pays tribute to her, she responds with a beautiful hymn of praise. The Magnificat (Latin: [My soul] magnifies [the Lord]), also known as the Song of Mary, the Canticle of Mary.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever. (Luke 1:46-55).
By reciting the Hail Marys using the Rosary beads in the four sets mysteries (Joyful, Light, Sorrowful& Glorious),we re-live the entire life of Jesus. From the early life of Jesus, His ministry in Galilee and Jerusalem, His Passion, death, resurrection and ascension, the birth of the Church through the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit and the assumption of Mary and how she is crowned to reigns as Queen of the universe.
As Queen of the universe she is queen per excellence and therefore, QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES.
Fr. Boniface Kariuki
Spiritual Director
