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DAY 31: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 31/10/2025Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:TOPIC: QUEEN OF ALL SAINTSWhy Mary is Called the "...
31/10/2025

DAY 31: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 31/10/2025
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:TOPIC: QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS

Why Mary is Called the "Queen Of All Saints"

Mary is called the Queen of All Saints because her singular role in salvation history makes her the highest example of holiness for all other saints. Her unique "yes" to God made the Incarnation possible (Luke 1:38), and she perfectly mirrored Christ's virtues throughout her life, serving as the ultimate model for the faithful on their path to sainthood.

By her Immaculate Conception she became the perfect instrument of the Savior and, as a result, the new Mother of all the living. As this new mother, she undoes the disobedience of Eve by her continual free choice of perfect cooperation with and obedience to God’s divine plan. At the Cross, Jesus gave His mother to John, which is a symbol of the fact that He gave her to all of us as our new mother (John 19:27). Therefore, insofar as we are members of the Body of Christ, members of the Body of her Son, we are also, by the necessity of God’s plan, children of this one mother.
Mary’s act of mediation for the Incarnation was not just some historical act that took place long ago. Rather, her motherhood is something that is continuous and eternal. It is a perpetual motherhood of the Savior of the world and is a perpetual instrumentality of all that comes to us from this Savior.

God is the source, but Mary is the instrument. And she is the instrument because God wanted it this way. She can do nothing by herself, but she doesn’t have to do it by herself. She is not the Savior. She is the instrument. As a result of this, we must see her role as glorious and essential in the eternal plan of salvation. Devotion to her is a way of simply acknowledging what is true. It’s not just some honor we bestow upon her by thanking her for cooperating with God’s plan. Rather, it’s an acknowledgment of her continual role of mediation of grace in our world and in our lives. From Heaven, God does not take this from her. Rather, she is made our Mother and our Queen. And a worthy Mother and Queen she is!

LET US PRAY

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears! Turn, then, O most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

©️ Judeson Alex

DAY 30: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 30/10/2025Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:TOPIC: QUEEN ASSUMED INTO HEAVENWhy Mary is called...
30/10/2025

DAY 30: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 30/10/2025
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
TOPIC: QUEEN ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN

Why Mary is called, "Queen Assumed into Heaven."

Mary is called "Queen Assumed into Heaven" because she is believed to have been taken into heaven, body and soul, at the end of her earthly life, and because she is considered the Queen of Heaven due to her role as the mother of Jesus, the King of Kings

She is the Queen of Heaven and the mother of the King. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament tradition of the "queen mother," who held a prominent position in the king's court, such as the mother of King Solomon. Since Jesus is the King of Kings, it follows that Mary, as his mother, is the Queen of Heaven. Having become the mother of God, she is also considered the mother of every creature. And she share in Christ's Kingship: Her queenship is seen as a share in her son's kingship and authority, a role she holds as the mother of the King. In Israel the mother of the king held the role of queen mother as earlier said. In essence she held a role of great prominence in the court and the king would usually acquiesce to her wishes (1 Kings 2:20; Jer. 13:18; 29:2). In 1 and 2 Kings the kings are almost always listed with their mothers and are depicted as advising their sons. Getting to the king through the queen mother is a natural thought and spurred Christians to ask Mary to intercede with Jesus on their behalf. Mary’s queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship.

MARY'S ASSUMPTION

From the earliest times Christians believed that the body of the Mother of God, who was never stained by original sin, had not been corrupted by death. There was a strong tradition that Mary died quietly and peacefully amidst the Apostles. Her death, according to this tradition, was not like other deaths which are accompanied by suffering, reluctance to leave this world, and a fear of the unknown. Her death, rather, was an act of pure love, an intense desire to be reunited with Her Son. A short time after Her burial, according to this tradition, the Apostles visited Her tomb and found it empty. Her body had been taken to Heaven to be reunited with Her soul.

The teaching of her being "assumed" into heaven, meaning she was taken up by God, establishes her as a queen in glory. The Church celebrates this belief with the feast of the Assumption on August 15th and the Queenship of Mary on August 22nd. The Assumption is seen as a preview of the general resurrection for other Christians, where the faithful hope to share in the same glory that Mary now enjoys.

"Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." (Acts 2:27). Also Psalms 16:10

This passage is often interpreted as referring to Jesus' resurrection and God's promise to preserve his body from decay. But it's not only to Jesus but us also. It was Saint Paul who said,

"If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." - (Romans 8:11).

Mary was the one overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, she became the spouse of the Holy spirit the mysterious marriage took place as recorded in the book of Luke: "And the power of the Most High shall overshadow You" (Luke 1:35). Holy men like Enoch and Elijah didn't experience death, neither did their body see decay. (Gen. 5:24 & 2Kings 2:11). We can say that of Moses as well. It was recorded in scripture during Jesus transfiguration from the book of Matthew:

Matthew 17:3
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to him, talking with him. None of these men can be said to have more consecration than Mary who was overshadowed by the holy spirit. While others may argue that she was married to Joseph which is true but only based on Jewish rites and tradition so that she won't be exposed to death according to the Jewish law; she actually belonged to the Holy Spirit, who is the confirmation of every God's word and cannot contradict himself.

"You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife." - (Exodus 20:17). So if Mary belonged to Joseph, why would the Holy Spirit covet her? You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:17). She belonged to the Holy Spirit and the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, the spirit of Christ and the love between the father and the son.

The Assumption also reminds us that our final goal is not on this earth but in Heaven. If we live according to God's laws, our body and soul will someday be reunited in Heaven, as Mary's are. The troubles we face in this world will be forgotten in the eternal happiness of Heaven.

LET US PRAY
Dear Mother Mary, Queen Assumed into Heaven, pray for me and guide me in times of need. Amen.

©️ Judeson Alex

THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES ON CHRISTIANITY: A CRITICAL ANALYSISKUDOS TO THE MUSLIMS ( I SAY WELL-DONE...
30/10/2025

THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES ON CHRISTIANITY: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

KUDOS TO THE MUSLIMS ( I SAY WELL-DONE TO THEM)

The mayors of various UK cities, including London, Luton, Blackburn, Sheffield, Brighton, Birmingham, and Oxford, are Muslims, highlighting the significant representation of Muslims in local government. This achievement is notable, considering the relatively small Muslim population of 4 million within the total UK population of 67 million.

There are over 2,000 active mosques in the UK, which are consistently filled to capacity. Additionally, there are over 100 Sharia courts and more than 50 Sharia councils. A significant proportion of Muslim women (78%) and men (68%) do not work but receive support and free accommodation in the UK. The name Muhammed is the most common in the UK, and Muslims have higher birth rates compared to Christians.

In contrast, church attendance in the UK is declining, with some churches having as few as 7-10 members in attendance. The rise of online church services, prayer meetings, and other online activities is potentially exacerbating this decline. While online services may offer convenience, they can also erode the sense of community and unity that physical gatherings provide.

The Nigerian president and vice president, who are Muslims, demonstrate the importance of physical gatherings for unity and strength. In contrast, many Christians are relying increasingly on online services, which may be detrimental to the sense of community and love that is essential to Christianity.

The proliferation of online church services and prayer meetings raises important questions about the impact on Christian unity and love. For instance, do participants in online prayer meetings, such as those led by Pastor Jerry Eze, genuinely care for and support one another? Or are they primarily motivated by personal gain?

The current state of Christianity is marked by division and disunity, which may be exacerbated by the rise of online services. In contrast, Muslims continue to gather in mosques and demonstrate a strong sense of unity and purpose. Christians would do well to learn from this example and prioritize physical gatherings and community-building activities.

Ultimately, Christians must reevaluate their approach to worship and community-building. Rather than relying solely on online services, they should strive to create opportunities for physical gatherings and meaningful interactions. By doing so, they can foster a stronger sense of unity, love, and community, which is essential to the vitality of Christianity.

I've never seen anywhere where an Imam threatens to arrest or sue a fellow Muslim but Christians are busy doing the opposite beating fellow Christians up and jailing them. The case of the UK isn't immigration, NO! It's an INVASION!!!

Judeson Alex

DAY 29: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 29/10/2025Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:TOPIC: QUEEN OF CONFESSORSWhy Mary is Called, "Que...
29/10/2025

DAY 29: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 29/10/2025
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
TOPIC: QUEEN OF CONFESSORS

Why Mary is Called, "Queen Of Confessors"

In order to understand this title, we need to clarify the meaning of the word confessor. The verb 'to confess' means ''to acknowledge belief or faith in". As a person, a confessor is one who confesses his faith in Christianity especially in the face of persecutions.

As far as Christianity is concerned, confessors are individuals who have suffered persecution, tortures or imprisonment for their faith, but unlike martyrs, they were not killed for it. They endured hardships and risks, yet remained faithful and confessed their beliefs. Confessors often demonstrated remarkable courage and conviction, inspiring others with their witness.

In applying this title to our lady we are expressing the deep faith and ardent love our Lady had for Jesus in all the vicissitudes of his life. The life of our Lady was a difficult one. The nobler the vocation to which God calls a person, the greater are the demands on faith, hope and love. The silence she portrays in the gospel narratives speaks volumes of her tenacity of faith.

Our Lady's confession of her son was perfect, ardent and single-minded. For the rest of humankind, our confession of Jesus is vacillating. We are like the reed shaken by the wind. As Saint Paul puts it, "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?" (Gal. 3:1). The answer is provided by Paul himself; "Are you foolish? Having started with the spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?" (Gal. 3:7).

For humankind, it is an endless story of vacillation between our faith, the flesh and the world. To us may very well apply the words of the prophet Elijah to the Israelites:

"How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him." (1 kings 18:21)

The options, indeed, are clear but, though the spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak. Our lady was constant in her confession, changeless and ever bright. For this reason we extoll her as the "QUEEN OF CONFESSORS"

LET US PRAY
O Mary, my loving mother, look with pity upon this weak child. From the valley of tears, I call to thee. Please, mother dear, look tenderly upon me. Help me to be constant in confession of Jesus and thee. Amen.

©️ Judeson Alex

DAY 28: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 28/10/2025Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:TOPIC: QUEEN OF MARTYRSWhy Mary Is Called, "Queen ...
28/10/2025

DAY 28: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 28/10/2025
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
TOPIC: QUEEN OF MARTYRS

Why Mary Is Called, "Queen Of Martyrs"

A martyr is a person who willingly suffers death or persecution for their faith, beliefs, or principles, often refusing to renounce or compromise their convictions; they are witnesses to their faith, giving their lives for Jesus or the Gospel. From the killing of Stephen, the first of Christian martyrs as recorded (Acts 7:54-60) the church, Christianity has experienced countless persecutions. Martyrs who die are venerated; their relics collected and preserved. Initially, for a person to be considered a martyr, it was necessary that he or she voluntarily and physically die at the hands of his persecutors in proclamation of the faith. Later, even those who were not killed but suffered imprisonment and torture, broken in body, were considered martyrs.

So there is a martyrdom of the blood, a martyrdom of steadfast loyalty and in modern times a more subtle form of martyrdom which we can call 'a martyrdom of discrimination'. To this we add yet another martyrdom, that of daily living the Christian values or, as Jesus put it, "Unless a grain of wheat dies..."

Mary is often referred to as the "Queen of Martyrs" because of her profound suffering and sacrifice as the mother of Jesus. She witnessed her son's crucifixion, endured immerse pain, and remained faithful throughout. Mary's sacrifice and faithfulness make her a model for Christian endurance.

In proclaiming our Lady as, "Queen Of Martyrs", we saw in her the martyrdom of pain, sorrow and mental anguish which she underwent in living out her exalted vocation. It is accepted that mental anguish can be more distressing than physical pain. Psychic pain can be of such intensity as can cause blood ooze, as happened to Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane: (Luke 22:44): "In his anguish he prayed more earnestly and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground"

Mary's complete and total obedience to God in complete submission to his will is one of, if not the highest level of Martyrdom. In physical Martyrdom, the victim gives up his head. The Martyrdom of our soul is the giving up of our will, which is the head of the soul in complete submission to God, as did Abraham and of course our Lord and master and saviour Jesus Christ. He was obedient even unto death. Abraham obedient even unto giving up his son. Mary so obedient that she never protested the lynching and killing of her only son, but would share in his passion and death in silent and complete understanding of what was going on because she had the mind of Christ.

Mary underwent many difficulties, from almost facing the disgrace of a failed marriage, to watching people mock her son, to watching her son die, and receiving his dead body etc, all these she endured in silence. If we were to describe the difficulties our Lady encountered at every step of her life, it would go beyond the scope of this write up.

The prophetic words of Simeon: "A sword will pierce your own heart too," (Luke 2:35) was a recurring reality in the life of our Lady. The day Jesus left her to commence his ministry of proclamation, his rejection by his own people, the assertion that he was crazy and that he was possessed by the power of Beelzebub, were darts that kept piercing her soul.

The climax of her sorrow was when our Lady stood beneath the cross of Jesus. No words can express the anguish. It is for the devoted soul to delve into the abyss of pain - the sword struck deep! We have every reason to proclaim her "Queen Of Martyrs"

LET US PRAY
O thou mother fount of love touch my spirit from above. Make my heart with thine accord. Make me feel as thou have felt, make my soul glow and melt with the life of Christ my Lord. Amen.
(Hymn: from the stations of the cross)

©️ Judeson Alex

DAY 27: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 27/10/2025Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:TOPIC: QUEEN OF APOSTLESWhy Mary is called the  "Q...
27/10/2025

DAY 27: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 27/10/2025
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
TOPIC: QUEEN OF APOSTLES

Why Mary is called the "Queen Of Apostles".

Mary is referred to as the "Queen of Apostles" because of her unique role in the early Christian community and her contributions to the spread of the Gospel. She's the first disciple of Jesus, and her faithfulness and obedience make her a role model for all apostles. Mary was also present in the upper room at Pentecost (Acts 1:14), where the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, empowering them for their mission. She was also a witness to Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection, making her a valuable resource for the early Christian community.

If we read the gospels carefully, we will discern that there are two tasks uppermost in the mind of Jesus, which he wanted to accomplish before the close of his short public ministry- First, the collection of a core group of close followers; second, the celebration and the establishment of the Eucharist, the sacrament of his body and blood. We see this clearly affirmed by Jesus. "He said to them, 'i have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer... (Luke 22:15).

By the most sacred moment of his life, a short while before his passion, Jesus had accomplished both- he had formed the core group of followers, whom he called apostles, and given to them his sacramental presence to celebrate in perpetuity. The mission of Jesus' apostles was to witness for him. "Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, the Jesus whom you crucified" (Acts 2:36).

The apostles of Jesus were chosen in spite of their shortcomings. Our lady was chosen because she was the favoured one. Her mission was the greatest, the noblest, the most unique and never to be repeated in the history of mankind. Not only was our lady a friend, but she was the mother of Jesus. She shared his most intimate thoughts and "treasured all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:51). Our lady was with Jesus from the beginning to the end, she was his faithful witness to the end, she shared in his cup of suffering; "And a sword will pierce your own soul too..." (Luke 2:35), and the zenith of her suffering was at Calvary where she looked on in silence as her already battered and facially disfigured son hung naked on the cross and as if that wasn't enough, his lifeless body was laid in her arms.

Mary is best seen as the "Queen of Apostles" as they (she and the apostles) gather together awaiting the descent of the Holy Spirit. It was Mary's choice to be with the Apostles at this very difficult time. Her presence and her fortitude was strength to them and her mission continues.

LET US PRAY

O Mary, our mother and Queen of the Apostles. The world stands in greater need of liberation today. Direct our efforts to bring the world to Jesus. In times of persecution, be our protection. In times of discouragement, be our inspiration. In times of fatigue, be our strength. In fulfilling our mission, help us to strive to the end. Amen

Judeson Alex

DAY 26: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 26/10/2025Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:TOPIC: QUEEN OF PROPHETSWhy Mary Is Called, "Queen...
26/10/2025

DAY 26: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 26/10/2025
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
TOPIC: QUEEN OF PROPHETS

Why Mary Is Called, "Queen Of Prophets"

That which the prophets of old spoke of Mary conceived. She's called the "Queen of Prophets" because she played a significant role in prophesying and foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ. Her life and actions fulfilled many old testament prophecies about the Messiah; one of many is contained in (Isaiah 7:14).

The Israelites journey with God guided by prophets was sealed by a covenant. God promised them the promised land where they shall find rest. But having now entered the Land and enjoyed peace and the comforts of a good life, they were quick to forget the demands of the covenant. The charismatic leaders Jacob, Moses, Joshua had died. In their place God raised prophets and it was through them that God continued to guide his people.

Who are these Prophets? In the biblical sense it's more than one who predicts the future as defined by the dictionary. We may simply say the prophet is a man of God, a call to him which is divine. This is clearly seen in the life of all prophets; like Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, etc. This call is not for itself but always leads to a mission. God calls and sends. So the prophet is possessed with the word of God and utters it. He gives the divine message, starting with, "The Lord God speaks."

Prophets are one touched by divine experience like Moses who encountered God in the burning bush. Also, Jeremiah who, God spoke the words to, "before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:4-7). Isaiah too, who saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty. (Isaiah 6:1).

We see how the prophets mentioned have been touched by their divine experience, which caused them to be deeply imbued with their sense of call and mission.

The Prophet is saturated with God's word, he's a person of profound vision and can interpret the 'signs of the time' in accordance with God's word.

But the most outstanding virtue of all the prophets, in spite of everything said and done to them, is that they were Great Intercessors. If Mary is called the Queen of Prophets, certainly we see enshrined in her all those virtues that constituted a prophet, in a speculative degree. Whereas the prophets were chosen in time, Mary existed in the eternal plan of God. She was chosen for an extraordinary mission of not merely conveying the spoken word of God but of giving to the world the reality of the word, the only-begotten son of God, in flesh and blood. Mary is the one who conceived the one whom the prophets spoke of.

What the prophets merely spoke of, our Lady conceived - she was the mother of the word made flesh. She was favoured with the most exalted vocation and mission, of which there can be no comparison. Hers was a unique call and mission, never to be repeated in human history. In that call to motherhood she was saturated with the word of God, drawn into the intimacy of the Father and the Spirit.

Mary like other prophets is also a great intercessor. The marriage in Cana tells it all and also her apparitions. She is also full of mercy, hope and joy. This title was naturally conferred on her, "Queen Of Prophets".

LET US PRAY
O Mary, Queen of Prophets, we rejoice for God's word you have us, Jesus Christ your son. We thank you for interceding for us. Forgive our hardness of heart. Amen.

©️ Judeson Alex

DAY 25: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 25/10/2025Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:TOPIC: QUEEN OF PATRIARCHSWhy Mary Is Called, "Que...
25/10/2025

DAY 25: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 25/10/2025
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
TOPIC: QUEEN OF PATRIARCHS

Why Mary Is Called, "Queen Of Patriarchs"

Mary is called the "Queen of Patriarchs" because she is considered the mother of the patriarchs of the old testament, as well as the mother of Jesus, who is the fulfilment of the patriarchal promises. The title is rooted in the biblical narrative where Mary is seen as the new Eve, and her role as the mother of Jesus is understood as a fulfilment of the promises made to the patriarchs of the old testament, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Mary is the spiritual mother of all believers, a powerful intercessor and a model of faith and this title reflects her esteemed position in your church.

The word Patriarch, from the Greek word "Patriarches", means the head of the family. The patriarchs refers to those persons from Adam to Noah (before the flood) and Jacob and his sons, "the progenitors of the twelve tribes of israel."

The history of the people of God is ancient. With the creation of Adam and his subsequent fall, God's salvific plan commences. To this end God chose various people who would bring about the fulfilment of his plan. Hence in

"Long ago, God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways through the prophets." (Hebrews 1:1)

The coming of Jesus took centuries of preparation with different persons, peoples and countries. These patriarchs were not paragons of virtue, but they were presented as ideal figures of men who lived in worshipful submission to the God who revealed himself to them and they expected from his hands whatever blessings they were to receive.

Mary is acclaimed the 'Queen of Patriarchs' because she is the climax or fulfilment of all that our Patriarchs believed, aspired and expectantly yearned for. Our Lady is typified in the life of our ancestors and she is the summation of all their aspirations.

The church for instance hails the sin of Adam and Eve and describes it in the exultet on Easter night as "O Happy Fault, o necessary sin of Adam which gained for us so great a redeemer."

This is not to condone Adam and Eve's sin; rather, it means that if Adam's loss was so great, our gain was greater. Adam and Eve lost a life of natural happiness but humankind gained the Son of God and supernatural life of grace that makes us children of God.

Let us turn our eyes to Abraham. It was Abraham's obedience of faith and his unshakeable confidence in God's word that won him the title of "Our Father in Faith". We owe the origins of our faith to him. Our Lady, like Abraham, was also put to a severe testing. From her obedience of faith to the angels message she remained faithful. Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac remained a figure, our Lady's sacrifice was the reality. There are many more examples to give, Jesus however sums them up saying;

"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded onto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself"
(Luke 24:25-28)

Mary is the Queen Of Patriarchs. In her is fulfilled all the promises God made and all that the Patriarchs looked forward to.

LET US PRAY
O Mary, Queen of our fathers we thank you for your obedience. We praise you for your gift of Jesus to us. We ask you to take care of us everyday at every step; for you alone can protect us. Amen

©️ Judeson Alex

DAY 24: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 24/10/2025Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:TOPIC: QUEEN OF ANGELSWhy Mary is called, "Queen o...
24/10/2025

DAY 24: OCTOBER DEVOTION: 24/10/2025
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
TOPIC: QUEEN OF ANGELS

Why Mary is called, "Queen of Angels".

Mary's title "Queen of Angels" stems from her role as Mother of God, granting her a dignity above all creation, including angels. Her involvement in the incarnation and encounters with angels, like the Annunciation by Archangel Gabriel, reinforce this title. It also highlights her exceptional sanctity and the reverence angels show her.

The angels spoke of her and told of her role in salvation history. "Therefore the LORD himself will give you a sign: The Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14).

God prepared, the Virgin for his son, who could be anybody and that person will be called, "highly favoured one" and that person is Mary, the mother of Jesus christ.

Throughout history, various popes and church fathers have acknowledged Mary's queenship. Pope Pius XII, in his 1954 encyclical "Ad Caeli Raginam," asserted that Mary's queenship is based on her divine motherhood and her association with Jesus' redemptive work

We read in the Bible that when Aaron was consecrated to the priesthood, a crown of gold was placed upon his miter. The crown had a second fillet of blue lace, a color chosen as the type of Heaven, "an ornament of honor, a work of power, and delightful to the eyes for its beauty." Over this crown was a golden diadem, with the inscription, "Holiness to the Lord." The diadem, a fillet of silk, was two inches wide, sometimes white, sometimes blue, sewn with pearls or other gems and enriched with gold. It may be noted that the diadem, not the crown, was the real insignia of royalty. How applicable to Mary, the Queen of Heaven, is this diadem with its blue fillet, Her own color, the color of the firmament.

One of the loveliest and truest titles of Mary is that of Queen—Mary, by the grace of God is Queen and Empress of the universe.

"If the Son is a King, the Mother who begat Him is rightly and truly considered a Queen and Sovereign." (St. Athanasius).

"No sooner had Mary consented to be Mother of the Eternal Word, than She merited by this consent to be made Queen of the world and all creatures." (St. Bernardine of Siena)

Holy Mother Church has guaranteed that royal title to Her. In the Mass of the Seven Dolors She sings: "Holy Mary, the Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the world, stood by the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ full of sadness;" and in the Communion Verse of the Mass of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: "Most noble Queen of the world, Mary, ever Virgin." Three of the four great Antiphons of Our Lady salute Her as Queen, the Regina Coeli, the Ave Regina Coelorum and the Salve Regina—"Hail, Queen of Heaven, Hail Mistress of Angels!"

The great messenger of the Annunciation was St. Gabriel. He saluted Her, as the one inferior salutes the one superior. Even St. Gabriel was awed at the beauty of Mary's soul and the dignity which no angel could even hope for. St. Gabriel, "the strength of God," had appeared to the Prophet Daniel, he had appeared to Zachary; they were holy men and pleasing to God, but She was "full of grace," and he knew that while in that little house of Nazareth he was in the very vestibule of Heaven, the very first one to salute the Queen of Angels.

LET US PRAY
Hail queen of heaven the ocean star guide of the wanderer here below. Thrown on life's surge we claim your care. Save us from peril and from who. Do you bright queen start of the sea. Pray for the wanderers pray for me, pray for your children pray for me

By
Judeson Alex

Address

Lagos

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