Hail Holy Queen!

Today we celebrate the feast of the Queenship of Mary.  We reflect on Mary's role as the Queen of Heaven and Earth every time we pray the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.  In fact, we honor her EVERY time we pray the Rosary, as the final prayer is the "Hail Holy Queen."

The painting above, "Mary, Queen of Heaven," captivated me when I first saw it at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.  It's painted by a artist know simply as the "Master of the St. Lucy Legend."  The painting dominates the gallery hall where it hangs, and I was instantly drawn by the vivid colors.  Mary's gown and cloak look so real that you want to reach out and touch them.  Each angel has a unique robe that appears to have been woven by the finest craftsmen.  The angels guide Mary to heaven, where the Holy Trinity anticipates her arrival and queenship with a golden crown.

Every time I visit the National Gallery, I always return to this painting.  I often think of it while mediating on the fourth and fifth Glorious Mysteries.  If you ever visit Washington, D.C., you must view this exquisite work of art.  To learn more about the painting and artist, see this link.

To better understand Mary's queenship, read this imformative article on Catholic Culture