Beatæ Mariæ Virginis ReginæThe Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen

℣ O Lord, ✠ open my lips.

℟ And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

℣ O God, ✠ come to my assistance.

℟ Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Alleluia.

Ant. Christ the King, who crowned his Mother, * Come, let us adore.

Ant. Christ the King, who crowned his Mother, * Come, let us adore.

Come, let us exult in the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to God, our Savior. Let us anticipate his presence with confession, and let us sing joyfully to him with psalms.

Ant. Christ the King, who crowned his Mother, * Come, let us adore.

For the Lord is a great God and a great King over all gods. For the Lord will not drive away his people. For in his hand are all the limits of the earth, and he beholds the heights of the mountains.

Ant. Come, let us adore.

For the sea is his, and he made it, and his hands established the dry land. (kneel) Come, let us adore and fall prostrate before God, and let us weep before the Lord who made us. For he is the Lord our God, and we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Ant. Christ the King, who crowned his Mother, * Come, let us adore.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts: as in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness, where your fathers tempted me; they tested and saw my works.

Ant. Come, let us adore.

For forty years, I was near to that generation, and I said: These have always strayed in heart. But they have not known my ways. To them I swore in my wrath: They shall not enter into my rest.

Ant. Christ the King, who crowned his Mother, * Come, let us adore.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Come, let us adore.

Ant. Christ the King, who crowned his Mother, * Come, let us adore.

Above the heavens reignest thou,

O Virgin Queen forever blest;

Above all creatures thou art now

Adorned with beauty, golden dressed.

Creation's culminating work

Thou shinest in thy Maker's sight,

Whose destiny it is to bear

The Son who made thee, God of light.

As Christ reigns King from high upon

The Cross, empurpled by his Blood,

Thou art the Queen of all to whom

Redemption came from Holy Rood.

Thou who with such glories art adorned,

Look down upon us as we sing,

Accept the grateful praises now

We offer thee, our blessed Queen.

All honor, laud, and glory be,

O Jesu, Virgin-Born, to thee;

Whom with the Father we adore,

And Holy Ghost, for evermore.

Amen.

Nocturn I

Ant. Blessed are you * among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Psalm 8 [1]

8:2a O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

8:2b For your magnificence is elevated * above the heavens.

8:3 Out of the mouths of babes and infants, you have perfected praise, because of your enemies, * so that you may destroy the enemy and the revenger.

8:4 For I will behold your heavens, the works of your fingers: * the moon and the stars, which you have founded.

8:5 What is man, that you are mindful of him, * or the son of man, that you visit him?

8:6 You reduced him to a little less than the Angels; † you have crowned him with glory and honor, * (7) and you have set him over the works of your hands.

8:8 You have subjected all things under his feet, * all sheep and oxen, and in addition: the beasts of the field,

8:9 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, * which pass through the paths of the sea.

8:10 O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Ant. Like choice myrrh, * you have given forth a sweet fragrance, O holy Mother of God.

Psalm 18 [2]

18:2 The heavens describe the glory of God, * and the firmament announces the work of his hands.

18:3 Day proclaims the word to day, * and night to night imparts knowledge.

18:4 There are no speeches or conversations, * where their voices are not being heard.

18:5 Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, * and their words to the ends of the world.

18:6a He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, * and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom.

18:6b He has exulted like a giant running along the way; * (7a) his departure is from the summit of heaven.

18:7b And his course reaches all the way to its summit. * Neither is there anyone who can hide himself from his heat.

18:8 The law of the Lord is immaculate, converting souls. * The testimony of the Lord is faithful, providing wisdom to little ones.

18:9 The justice of the Lord is right, rejoicing hearts. * The precepts of the Lord are brilliant, enlightening the eyes.

18:10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for all generations. * The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves:

18:11 desirable beyond gold and many precious stones, * and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

18:12 For, indeed, your servant keeps them, * and in keeping them, there are many rewards.

18:13 Who can understand transgression? † From my hidden faults, cleanse me, O Lord, * (14a) and from those of others, spare your servant.

18:14b If they will have no dominion over me, then I will be immaculate, * and I will be cleansed from the greatest transgression.

18:15a And the eloquence of my mouth will be so as to please, * along with the meditation of my heart, in your sight, forever,

18:15b O Lord, my helper * and my redeemer.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Like choice myrrh, you have given forth a sweet fragrance, O holy Mother of God.

Ant. Before the bridal chamber * of this Virgin, sing sweet songs of celebration for us.

Psalm 23 [3]

23:1 The earth and all its fullness belong to the Lord: * the whole world and all that dwells in it.

23:2 For he has founded it upon the seas, * and he has prepared it upon the rivers.

23:3 Who will ascend to the mountain of the Lord? * And who will stand in his holy place?

23:4 The innocent of hands and the clean of heart, * who has not received his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor.

23:5 He will receive a blessing from the Lord, * and mercy from God, his Savior.

23:6 This is the generation that seeks him, * that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

23:7 Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. * And the King of Glory shall enter.

23:8 Who is this King of Glory? * The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle.

23:9 Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. * And the King of Glory shall enter.

23:10 Who is this King of Glory? * The Lord of virtue. He himself is the King of Glory.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Before the bridal chamber of this Virgin, sing sweet songs of celebration for us.

℣ Hail, Queen of mercy.

℟ Of whom Christ our King was born.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom come: thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. Hear the prayers of your servants, Lord Jesus Christ, and have mercy on us: You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the eternal Father bless us with his everlasting blessing.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 1

From the Book of Sirach

Sir 24:5-11

5 “I went forth from the mouth of the Most High, as the first-born before all creatures.

6 I caused an unfailing light to arise in the heavens. And I covered all the earth like a cloud.

7 I lived in the highest places, and my throne is in the pillar of a cloud.

8 I alone have encompassed the circuit of heaven, and have penetrated to the depths of the abyss, and have walked upon the waves of the sea,

9 And have stood upon the whole earth. And among every people,

10 And in every nation, I have held primacy.

11 And by virtue, I have tread upon the hearts of all, the great and the lowly. And I have sought my rest in all of them. And I will continue, as the inheritance of the Lord.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed are you, Mary, who believed the Lord: all things spoken to you have been fulfilled in you.

* Behold, you have been exalted above the choirs of Angels to the heavenly kingdoms.

℣ Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

℟ Behold, you have been exalted above the choirs of Angels to the heavenly kingdoms.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the Only Begotten Son of God be pleased to bless and assist us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Sir 24:14-16

14 From the beginning, and before the world, I was created. And even unto the future world, I will not cease to exist. For I have ministered before him in the holy habitation.

15 And in this way, I was established in Zion. And likewise, in the holy city, I found rest. And my authority was in Jerusalem.

16 And I took root among an honorable people, within the portion of my God, within his inheritance. And so my abode is in the full assembly of the saints.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Let us honor the royal dignity of the Virgin Mary.

* For she reigns with Christ for ever.

℣ Let us celebrate the glory of our Queen.

℟ For she reigns with Christ for ever.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten our minds and hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Sir 24:24-30

24 I am the mother of the beauty of love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope.

25 All grace of the way and of the truth is in me. All hope of life and of virtue is in me.

26 Journey toward me, all you who desire me, and be filled by my harvest.

27 For my spirit is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance is better than honey and the honeycomb.

28 My memory is for the generations of all ages.

29 Whoever consumes me will hunger still. And whoever drinks me will thirst still.

30 Whoever listens to me will not be confounded. And whoever acts in me will not sin. Whoever elucidates me will have eternal life.”

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ God chose her and preferred her above all;

* he placed a crown of glory upon her head.

℣ And he caused her to dwell in his tabernacle.

℟ he placed a crown of glory upon her head.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ he placed a crown of glory upon her head.

Nocturn II

Ant. In your beauty * and your comeliness, set out, proceed with success, and reign.

Psalm 44 [4]

44:2a My heart has uttered a good word. * I speak of my works to the king.

44:2b My tongue is like the pen of a scribe * who writes quickly.

44:3 You are a brilliant form before the sons of men. † Grace has been poured freely into your lips. * Because of this, God has blessed you in eternity.

44:4 Fasten your sword to your thigh, * O most powerful one.

44:5a With your splendor and your excellence * extended, proceed prosperously, and reign

44:5b for the sake of truth and meekness and justice, * and so will your right hand lead you wondrously.

44:6 Your arrows are sharp; the people will fall under you, * with the hearts of the enemies of the king.

44:7 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. * The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of true aim.

44:8 You have loved justice and hated iniquity. * Because of this, God, your God, has anointed you, before your co-heirs, with the oil of gladness.

44:9 Myrrh and balsam and cinnamon perfume your garments, from the houses of ivory. * From these, they have delighted you: (10a) the daughters of kings in your honor.

44:10b The queen assisted at your right hand, in clothing of gold, * encircled with diversity.

44:11 Listen, daughter, and see, and incline your ear. * And forget your people and your father’s house.

44:12 And the king will desire your beauty. * For he is the Lord your God, and they will adore him.

44:13 And the daughters of Tyre * will entreat your countenance with gifts: all the rich men of the people.

44:14 All the glory of the daughter of its king is inside, * in golden fringes, (15a) clothed all around with diversities.

44:15b After her, virgins will be led to the king. * Her neighbors will be brought to you.

44:16 They will be brought with gladness and exultation. * They will be led into the temple of the king.

44:17 For your fathers, sons have been born to you. * You will establish them as leaders over all the earth.

44:18a They will remember your name always, * for generation after generation.

44:18b Because of this, people will confess to you in eternity, * even forever and ever.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. In your beauty and your comeliness, set out, proceed with success, and reign.

Ant. God will help her * with his countenance: God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.

Psalm 45 [5]

45:2 Our God is our refuge and strength, * a helper in the tribulations that have greatly overwhelmed us.

45:3 Because of this, we will not be afraid when the earth will be turbulent * and the mountains will be transferred into the heart of the sea.

45:4 They thundered, and the waters were stirred up among them; * the mountains have been disturbed by his strength.

45:5 The frenzy of the river rejoices the city of God. * The Most High has sanctified his tabernacle.

45:6 God is in its midst; it will not be shaken. * God will assist it in the early morning.

45:7 The peoples have been disturbed, and the kingdoms have been bowed down. * He uttered his voice: the earth has been moved.

45:8 The Lord of hosts is with us. * The God of Jacob is our supporter.

45:9 Draw near and behold the works of the Lord: what portents he has set upon the earth, * carrying away wars even to the end of the earth.

45:10 He will crush the bow and break the weapons, * and he will burn the shield with fire.

45:11 Be empty, and see that I am God. * I will be exalted among the peoples, and I will be exalted upon the earth.

45:12 The Lord of hosts is with us. * The God of Jacob is our supporter.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. God will help her with his countenance: God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.

Ant. As for all of us who rejoice, * our dwelling is in you, O holy Mother of God.

Psalm 86 [6]

86:1 Its foundations are in the holy mountains: * the Lord loves the gates of Zion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.

86:3 Glorious things are being said of you, * O City of God.

86:4 I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon * knowing me.

86:4 Behold, the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians: * these have been there.

86:5 Will not Zion say that this man and that man were born in her? * And the Most High himself has founded her.

86:6 The Lord will explain, in the writings of peoples and of leaders, * about those who have been in her.

86:7 For so the dwelling place within you * is with all rejoicing.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. As for all of us who rejoice, our dwelling is in you, O holy Mother of God.

℣ His Mother stood beside the Cross of Jesus.

℟ Companion in his Passion, Queen of the whole world.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom come: thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. May his loving kindness and mercy assist us, he who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God the almighty Father be gracious and merciful to us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 4

A sermon of Saint Peter Canisius, Priest

On Mary, the Incomparable Virgin Mother of God, book 15, chapter 13

Why, following Damascene, Athanasius, and others, shall we not address the most blessed Virgin Mary by the title of Queen, when both her father David is a celebrated king, and her son the King of kings and Lord of lords reigning without end hold the most excellent praise in the Scriptures? She is moreover a Queen, if she be compared with those who, as kings, have attained the heavenly kingdom with Christ the supreme King, as his co-heirs, and as placed with him on the same throne, so to speak, as Scripture says. She is also a Queen second to none among the elect, but at the same time set above both angels and men by so much greater dignity as nothing can be more sublime and holy than she who alone has the Son in common with God the Father, and who sees only God and Christ above herself, and all else below.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Receive the word, O Virgin Mary, sent to you from the Lord:

* Behold, you shall conceive and bring forth God and man alike.

℣ And you shall be called Queen over all nations.

℟ Behold, you shall conceive and bring forth God and man alike.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

Great Athanasius clearly said that Mary is rightly and truly to be called not only Mother of God, but also Queen and Lady, since Christ born of her, his Virgin Mother, remains God and Lord and likewise King. Concerning this Queen, therefore, he interprets those words of the Psalmist: The Queen stood at your right hand in golden raiment. Mary is therefore rightly called not only Queen of heaven, but Queen of the heavens, as mother of the King of Angels and King of the heavens, and as his friend and spouse. But from you, most august Queen, and most faithful Mother Mary, whom no one implores devoutly without fruit, and to whom all mortals are bound by the everlasting memory of benefits received, I pray and beseech you again and again with reverence, that you would be pleased to hold this testimony of my devotion toward you, such as it is, as acceptable and welcome, and that you would measure the smallness of the gift offered by the earnest will of the one who offers it and confirm it before your all-powerful Son.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many,

* and a sword will pass through your own soul.

℣ Hail, Mother of Christ, companion of his Passion, Queen of the whole world.

℟ and a sword will pass through your own soul.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God kindle the fire of his love in our hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

From the Encyclical Letters of Pope Pius XII

Encyclical “Ad caeli Reginam,” October 11, 1954

From the monuments of Christian antiquity, from liturgical prayers, from the innate religious sense of the Christian people, from works of art, we have gathered from all sides the voices which assert that the Virgin Mother of God excels in royal dignity; and we have argued that the reasons also which holy theology, drawing from the treasury of the divine faith, establishes, confirm that same truth in every respect. From so many testimonies adduced, there arises as it were a most widely resounding harmony which extols the lofty summit of royal honor of the Mother of God and men, to whom all created things are subject, who is: «exalted above the choirs of Angels to the heavenly realms». And since, after mature and careful deliberation, we are persuaded that great benefits will accrue to the Church if this solidly proven truth, like a brighter lamp placed upon its lampstand, shines forth more manifestly to all, we by our Apostolic Power decree and institute the feast of Mary the Queen, to be celebrated throughout the whole world each year on the thirty-first day of May.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ A great sign appeared in heaven:

* A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

℣ Whose Son reigns for ever.

℟ A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

Nocturn III

Ant. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary: * you alone have destroyed all heresies throughout the whole world.

Psalm 95 [7]

95:1 Sing to the Lord a new song. * Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

95:2 Sing to the Lord and bless his name. * Announce his salvation from day to day.

95:3 Announce his glory among the Gentiles, * his miracles among all peoples.

95:4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. * He is terrible, beyond all gods.

95:5 For all the gods of the Gentiles are demons, * but the Lord made the heavens.

95:6 Confession and beauty are in his sight. * Sanctity and magnificence are in his sanctuary.

95:7 Bring to the Lord, you natives of the nations, bring to the Lord glory and honor. * Bring to the Lord glory for his name.

95:8 Lift up sacrifices, and enter into his courts. * Adore the Lord in his holy court.

95:9 Let the entire earth be shaken before his face. * Say among the Gentiles: The Lord has reigned.

95:10 For he has even corrected the whole world, which will not be shaken. * He will judge the peoples with fairness.

95:11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth exult; let the sea and all its fullness be moved. * The fields and all the things that are in them will be glad.

95:12 Then all the trees of the forest will rejoice before the face of the Lord: for he arrives. * For he arrives to judge the earth.

95:13 He will judge the whole world with fairness * and the peoples with his truth.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary: you alone have destroyed all heresies throughout the whole world.

Ant. Grant me, * O sacred Virgin, the grace to praise you: give me strength against your enemies.

Psalm 96 [8]

96:1 The Lord has reigned, let the earth exult. * Let the many islands rejoice.

96:2 Clouds and mist are all around him. * Justice and judgment are corrections from his throne.

96:3 A fire will precede him, * and it will enflame his enemies all around.

96:4 His lightnings have enlightened the whole world. * The earth saw, and it was shaken.

96:5 The mountains flowed like wax before the face of the Lord, * before the face of the Lord of all the earth.

96:6 The heavens announced his justice, * and all peoples saw his glory.

96:7 May all those who adore graven images be confounded, * along with those who glory in their false images.

96:7 All you his Angels: Adore him. * Zion heard, and was glad.

96:8 And the daughters of Judah exulted * because of your judgments, O Lord.

96:9 For you are the Most High Lord over all the earth. * You are greatly exalted above all gods.

96:10 You who love the Lord: hate evil. * The Lord watches over the souls of his holy ones. He will free them from the hand of the sinner.

96:11 The light has risen for the just, * and joy for the upright of heart.

96:12 Rejoice in the Lord, you just ones, * and confess to the memory of his sanctuary.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. Grant me, O sacred Virgin, the grace to praise you: give me strength against your enemies.

Ant. After giving birth, * O Virgin, you remained inviolate: O Mother of God, intercede for us.

Psalm 97 [9]

97:1 Sing to the Lord a new song, * for he has performed wonders.

97:1 His right hand has accomplished salvation for him, * with his holy arm.

97:2 The Lord has made known his salvation. * He has revealed his justice in the sight of the nations.

97:3 He has remembered his mercy * and his truth toward the house of Israel.

97:3 All the ends of the earth have seen * the salvation of our God.

97:4 Sing joyfully to God, all the earth. * Sing and exult, and sing psalms.

97:5 Sing psalms to the Lord with stringed instruments, with strings and the voice of a psalmist, * with subtle wind instruments and the voice of woodwinds.

97:6 Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king. * Let the sea be moved and all its fullness, the whole world and all who dwell in it.

97:8 The rivers will clap their hands, the mountains will exult together, before the presence of the Lord. * For he comes to judge the earth.

97:9 He will judge the whole world with justice, * and the peoples with fairness.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, * world without end. Amen.

Ant. After giving birth, O Virgin, you remained inviolate: O Mother of God, intercede for us.

℣ All generations shall call me blessed.

℟ For he who is mighty has done great things for me.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name: thy kingdom come: thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. May the almighty and merciful Lord absolve us from the bonds of our sins.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the evangelical reading be our salvation and protection.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 7

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Luc 1:26-33

At that time: the Angel Gabriel was sent by God, to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the name of the virgin was Mary. And so forth.

A Homily of Saint Bonaventure the Bishop

Sermon on the Royal Dignity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the mother of the Most High King through a noble conception, according to what is said in the word spoken to her by the Angel: Behold, he says, you shall conceive and bear a son; and then: The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. As if to say plainly: You shall conceive and bear a Son who is King, reigning eternally on a royal throne, and therefore as the Mother of the King you shall reign, and as Queen you shall sit upon the royal throne. For if it is fitting that a son give honor to his mother, it is fitting that he share with her the royal throne; hence the Virgin Mary, because she conceived him who has written on his thigh: King of kings and Lord of lords, from the very moment she conceived the Son of God, was Queen not only of earth but also of heaven, as is signified in the Apocalypse where it is said: A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Behold, a virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son,

* and his name shall be called Wonderful, God, Mighty One.

℣ He will sit upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom for ever.

℟ and his name shall be called Wonderful, God, Mighty One.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May she whose feast we celebrate, the Virgin of virgins, intercede for us to the Lord.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

Mary is Queen most illustrious with regard to glory, which the Prophet well designates in the psalm that is specifically about Christ and the Virgin Mary, where it is first said of Christ: Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever, and shortly after of the Virgin: The Queen stood at your right hand, that is, in the highest goods, which is said with respect to the glory of the soul. Then follows: In golden raiment, in which is expressed the garment of glorious immortality, which it was fitting for the Virgin to have at her Assumption. For far be it that the garment with which Christ was clothed, which was also perfectly sanctified on earth through the incarnate Word, should become food for worms. Just as it was fitting for Christ to give his Mother the fullest grace at her Conception, so it was fitting to grant her the fullest glory at his Mother's Assumption. And therefore it is to be held that the Virgin, glorious in soul and body, is seated beside her Son.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ You have been exalted, O holy Mother of God,

* Above the choirs of Angels to the heavenly kingdoms.

℣ Intercede for us to the Lord Jesus Christ.

℟ Above the choirs of Angels to the heavenly kingdoms.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ Above the choirs of Angels to the heavenly kingdoms.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the King of Angels lead us to the company of the citizens on high.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

Mary is Queen and dispenser of grace, which was prefigured in the book of Esther, where it is said: A small spring that grew into a river, and was turned into light and sun. The Virgin Mary is compared under the figure of Esther to the outpouring of a spring and of light, on account of the diffusion of grace with respect to its twofold use — of action, that is, and of contemplation. For the grace of God, which is the medicine of the human race, descends to us through her as through an aqueduct, because it belongs to the Virgin herself to dispense grace, not as its principle, but by way of merit. Rightly, therefore, is the Virgin Mary the most excellent Queen in relation to the people, since she obtains pardon, overcomes the battle, distributes grace, and consequently leads to glory.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

Te Deum

O God, we praise you; * O Lord, we acclaim you.

Eternal Father, * all the earth reveres you.

To you all the Angels, * the heavens and all the Powers of heaven:

To you the Cherubim and Seraphim * cry out in endless praise:

(A bow is made) Holy, Holy, Holy * Lord God of hosts;

Heaven and earth are filled * with the majesty of your glory.

The glorious choir of Apostles * sings to you,

the noble company of Prophets * praises you,

the white-robed army of Martyrs * glorifies you.

Holy Church throughout the earth * proclaims you,

the Father * of boundless majesty;

your true and only Son, * worthy of adoration;

and the Holy Spirit, * the Paraclete.

You, O Christ, * are the King of glory.

You are * the Father's everlasting Son.

(A bow is made) When you resolved to save the human race, * you did not spurn the Virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death * and opened the Kingdom of Heaven to those who put their faith in you.

You are seated at the right hand of God * in the glory of the Father.

We believe you are the Judge * who is to come.

(The following verse is said kneeling) And so we beg you, help your servants, * redeemed by your most precious blood.

Number them * among your Saints in eternal glory.

Save your people, Lord, * and bless your inheritance.

Shepherd them * and raise them to eternal life.

Day by day * we bless you,

(A bow is made, according to custom) and we praise your name * for endless ages evermore.

Be gracious, Lord, on this day, * and keep us from all sin.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, * have mercy.

May your mercy be upon us, Lord, * as we place our trust in you.

In you, O Lord, I rest my hope: * let me never be put to shame.

The rest is omitted unless Lauds is said separately.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

Let us pray.

Grant us, we pray, O Lord, that we who celebrate the solemnity of blessed Mary the Virgin, our Queen, being fortified by her protection, may merit to obtain peace in the present and glory in the future.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son: who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

℣ Let us bless the Lord.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℣ May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟ Amen.