Let us all rejoice in the Lord and make a festive day in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary our Queen: at whose solemnity the Angels rejoice and give praise to the Son of God.
The style is rather modern, I admit, although not really so bad for all that, but the symbolism is excellent with regard to today's feast. Up until 1956 the Feast of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces was usually celebrated on May 31. Then in the Encyclical Letter Ad Caeli Reginam (1956), Ven. Pope Pius XII instituted the Feast of the Queenship of Mary for May 31. The idea of Mary's queenship, of course, includes the idea of her mediation of all graces, and the two are united beautifully in the image above. The queenship motif is from Apoc. 12, the Woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and wearing a crown of twelve stars. From her hands shine forth the rays of divine grace which she mediates to the earth. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so she reflects the light of her Son, the Sun of Justice.
Together with the institution of today's Feast, Ven. Pope Pius XII requested an annual re-consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: "We likewise ordain that on the same day the consecration of the human race to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary be renewed, cherishing the hope that through such consecration a new era may begin, joyous in Christian peace and in the triumph of religion" (47).
A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world.
Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.
O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.
We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home. Amen.
~Venerable Pope Pius XII
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