MARY, OUR MOTHER

SATURDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF THE ASCENSION

OUR LADY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES
IN SOME PLACES BY SPECIAL INDULT

Mary, the regal Mother of Christ's Apostles and their successors, watches over missioners' souls and persons and fortunes. She is, besides, their special Protectress and support in all that pertains to their work, because they are particularly dedicated to the cause nearest Her Heart -- the salvation of the world by and through Her divine Son. Apostles accordingly have a great and double claim on their heavenly Queen; they know it and are certain that by staying close to Her, they will be kept in every way close to God. Continuing through all the ages and over all the world, this special benevolence of Mary towards Her Son's apostles is something lavish, endless, and boundlessly maternal.

ENTRANCE HYMN Ps. 86:1-3
Her foundation is upon the holy mountain. The Lord loves the gates of Sion more than any of the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God. Alleluia, alleluia!
Ps. 133:1. Behold, now bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
V. Glory be . . .

PRAYER
O God, You sent Your Holy Spirit upon the Apostles as they were united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. May the Queen of Apostles, the same Mother of us all, help us serve Your majesty faithfully, and to spread the glory of Your name by word and example. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord . . . in the unity of the same Holy Spirit.

For many reasons we can call Our Blessed Mother, Queen of Apostles. Lets look at some of them . . .

1. In general an apostle is someone who is sent forth on a mission. It means that he or she was appointed to proclaim Christ to the world. The Twelve whom Christ appointed, along with St. Paul, were the first chosen and appointed. They were given the graces and jurisdictions to infallibly proclaim the Faith in Christ. Yet, Our lady was accepted by them as their Queen. "The Apostles with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, continued steadfast in prayer" (see Acts 1:14).

2. The Apostles knew and understood Mary's role in the salvation of the world better than anyone else. They knew Her sanctity; Her virtues; they knew how She cooperated in the works of redemption; they knew how much Jesus loved Her! They were with Her through the sufferings of our Lord. They persevered in prayer with Mary in the upper room (Cenacle), waiting for the Holy Spirit to descend upon them all. They knew Mary as their Queen and Mother.

3. Our Lady was the Apostles link to our Lord, after He ascended into Heaven. Christ had gone up to His Father, but He left His Mother with them; they were not abandoned and not orphans! And they needed Her!

4. Because Mary is the spouse of the Holy Spirit, She became the Apostles particular adviser, their Spiritual Director, so to say! Often the Apostles came to Mary for advice and counsel; that is why She is also called Mother of Good Council! Our Lady told them what path to take, what plan to pursue. Mary, being "The Seat of Wisdom" (another of Her titles), was closely united with Wisdom Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ; Our Lady shared that wisdom with those who were doing the Lord's work.

5. Mary prayed for the Apostles and the infant Church, helping it grow because as Mother of God, Mother of the Infant Christ; She was Mother of the infant Church. Mary's prayers were the most powerful because of Her union with Jesus.

6. What might have happened if Mary went about the world proclaiming the words of Christ? She probably would have converted the whole world! But that was not God's plan, so Mary became the apostle to the Apostles, teaching them so that they could go out to the ends of the earth proclaiming the "Good News". Our Lady stayed in the background and inspired them to offer their lives for Christ.

7. The Apostles were full of zeal after Pentecost but they had their defects. Sometimes they lacked courage, faith, humility and meekness, Our Lady, on the other hand, was perfect and Immaculate. She had every virtue and no sin! She especially had the virtue and spirit of sacrifice. Mary assisted the Apostles with their weaknesses!

Today, in our world, we need the example and inspiration of Mother Mary, Queen of Apostles, to convert the world to her Son, Jesus. Let us join Her in prayer, especially the Holy Rosary, that all our priests, deacons, sisters and brothers, and all lay missionaries will take Mary as their model, finding in Her the inspirations they need to proclaim Christ to the world!

Mary, Queen of Apostles, pray for us!

Deacon John