On the Queenship of Mary (Ad Caeli Reginam)

46. From the ancient Christian documents, from prayers of the liturgy, from the innate piety of the Christian people, from works of art, from every side We have gathered witnesses to the regal dignity of the Virgin Mother of God; We have likewise shown that the arguments deduced by Sacred Theology from the treasure store of the faith fully confirm this truth. Such a wealth of witnesses makes up a resounding chorus which changes the sublimity of the royal dignity of the Mother of God and of men, to whom every creature is subject, who is "exalted to the heavenly throne, above the choirs of angels" (61).

47. Since we are convinced, after long and serious reflection, that great good will accrue to the Church if this solidly established truth shines forth more clearly to all, like a luminous lamp raised aloft, by Our Apostolic authority We decree and establish the feast of Mary's Queenship, which is to be celebrated every year in the whole world on the 31st of May. 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.

48. Let all, therefore, try to approach with greater trust the throne of grace and mercy of our Queen and Mother, and beg for strength in adversity, light in darkness, consolation in sorrow; above all let them strive to free themselves from the slavery of sin and offer an unceasing homage, filled with filial loyalty, to their Queenly Mother. Let her churches be thronged by the faithful, her feast-days honored; may the beads of the Rosary be in the hands of all; may Christians gather, in small numbers and large, to sing her praises in churches, in homes, in hospitals, in prisons. May Mary's name be held in highest reverence, a name sweeter than honey and more precious than jewels; may none utter blasphemous words, the sign of a defiled soul, against that name graced with such dignity and revered for its motherly goodness; let no one be so bold as to speak a syllable which lacks the respect due to her name.

49. All, according to their state, should strive to bring alive the wondrous virtues of our heavenly Queen and most loving Mother through constant effort of mind and manner. Thus will it come about that all Christians, in honoring and imitating their sublime Queen and Mother, will realize they are truly brothers, and with all envy and avarice thrust aside, will promote love among classes, respect the rights of the weak, cherish peace. No one should think himself a son of Mary, worthy of being received under her powerful protection, unless, like her, he is just, gentle and pure, and shows a sincere desire for true brotherhood, not harming or injuring but rather helping and comforting others.

50. In some countries of the world there are people who are unjustly persecuted for professing their Christian faith and who are deprived of their divine and human rights to freedom; up till now reasonable demands and repeated protests have availed nothing to remove these evils. May the powerful Queen of creation, whose radiant glance banishes storms and tempests and brings back cloudless skies, look upon these her innocent and tormented children with eyes of mercy; may the Virgin, who is able to subdue violence beneath her foot, grant to them that they may soon enjoy the rightful freedom to practice their religion openly, so that, while serving the cause of the Gospel, they may also contribute to the strength and progress of nations by their harmonious cooperation, by the practice of extraordinary virtues which are a glowing example in the midst of bitter trials.

51. By this Encyclical Letter We are instituting a feast so that all may recognize more clearly and venerate more devoutly the merciful and maternal sway of the Mother of God. We are convinced that this feast will help to preserve, strengthen and prolong that peace among nations which daily is almost destroyed by recurring crises. Is she not a rainbow in the clouds reaching towards God, the pledge of a covenant of peace (62)? "Look upon the rainbow, and bless Him that made it; surely it is beautiful in its brightness. It encompasses the heaven about with the circle of its glory, the hands of the Most High have displayed it" (63). Whoever, therefore, reverences the Queen of heaven and earth—and let no one consider himself exempt from this tribute of a grateful and loving soul—let him invoke the most effective of Queens, the Mediatrix of peace; let him respect and preserve peace, which is not wickedness unpunished nor freedom without restraint, but a well-ordered harmony under the rule of the will of God; to its safeguarding and growth the gentle urgings and commands of the Virgin Mary impel us.

52. Earnestly desiring that the Queen and Mother of Christendom may hear these Our prayers, and by her peace make happy a world shaken by hate, and may, after this exile show unto us all Jesus, Who will be our eternal peace and joy, to you, Venerable Brothers, and to your flocks, as a promise of God's divine help and a pledge of Our love, from Our heart We impart the Apostolic Benediction.

Given at Rome, from St. Peter's, on the feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the eleventh day of October, 1954, in the sixteenth year of our Pontificate.

(1) Cf. constitutio apostolica Munificentissirnus Deus: AAS XXXXII 1950, p. 753 sq.

(1a) The Latin word is Unigena – Ed.

(2) Cf. litt. enc. Fulgens corona: AAS XXXXV, 1953, p. 577 sq.

(3) Cf. AAS XXXVIII, 1946, p. 264 sq.

(4) Cf. L'Osservatore Romano, d. 19 Maii, a. 1946.

(5) Luke 1:32.

(6) Is. 9:6.

(7) Rev. 19:16.

(8) Cf. Luke 1:32, 33.

(9) Luke 1:43.

(10) S. Ephraem, Hymni de B. Maria, ed. Th. J. Lamy, t. II, Mechliniae, 1886, hymn. XIX, p. 624.

(11) Idem, Oratio ad Ssmam Dei Matrem; Opera omnia, Ed. Assemani, t. III (graece), Romae, 1747, pag. 546.

(12) S. Gregorius Naz., Poemata dogmatica, XVIII, v. 58; PG XXXVII, 485.

(13) Prudentius, Dittochaeum, XXVII: PL LX, 102 A.

(14) Hom. in S. Lucam, hom. VII; ed. Rauer, Origenes' Werke, T. IX, p. 48 (ex catena Marcarii Chrysocephali). Cf. PG XIII, 1902 D.

(15) S. Hieronymus, Liber de nominibus hebraeis: PL XXIII, 886.

(16) S. Petrus Chrysologus, Sermo 142, De Annuntiatione B.M.V.: PL LII, 579 C; cf. etiam 582 B; 584 A: "Regina totius exstitit castitatis."

(17) Relatio Epiphanii Ep. Constantin.: PL LXII, 498 D.

(17a) Generally throughout the encyclical the Latin word Regina is used to describe Mary. In this case and a few others the word is Domina. "Queen" seems to be the best English equivalent. "Ruler," when it occurs, is a rendition of Dominatrix. – Ed.

(18) Encomium in Dormitionem Ssmae Deiparae (inter opera S. Modesti): PG LXXXVI, 3306 B.

(19) S. Andreas Cretensis, Homilia II in Dormitionem Ssmae Deiparae: PG XCVII, 1079 B.

(20) Id., Homilia III in Dormitionem Ssmae Deiparae: PG XCVII, 1099 A.

(21) S. Germanus, In Praesentationem Ssmae Deiparae, I: PG XCVIII, 303 A.

(22) Id., In Praesentationem Ssmae Deiparae, n PG XCVIII, 315 C.

(23) S. Ioannes Damascenus, Homilia I in Dormitionem B.M.V.: PG XCVI, 719 A.

(24) Id., De fide orthodoxa, I, IV, c. 14: PG XLIV, 1158 B.

(25) De laudibus Mariae (inter opera Venantii Fortunati): PL LXXXVIII, 282 B et 283 A.

(26) Ildefonsus Toletanus, De virginitate perpetua B.M.V.: PL XCVI, 58 A D.

(27) S. Martinus I, Epist. XIV: PL LXXXVII, 199-200 A.

(28) S. Agatho: PL LXXXVII, 1221 A.

(29) Hardouin, Acta Conciliorum, IV, 234; 238: PL LXXXIX, 508 B.

(30) Xystus IV, bulla Cum praeexcelsa. d. d. 28 Febr. a. 1476.

(31) Benedictus XIV, bulla Gloriosae Dominae, d. d. 27 Sept. a. 1748.

(32) S. Alfonso, Le gloire de Maria, p. I, c. I, §1.

(33) Ex liturgia Armenorum: in festo Assumptionis, hymnus ad Matutinum.

(34) Ex Menaeo (byzantino): Dominica post Natalem, in Canone, ad Matutinum.

(35) Officium hymni Axathistos (in ritu byzantino).

(36) Missale Aethiopicum, Anaphora Dominae nostrae Mariae, Matris Dei.

(37) Brev. Rom., Versiculus sexti Respons.

(38) Festum Assumptionis; hymnus Laudum.

(39) Ibidem, ad Magnificat II Vesp.

(40) Luke 1:32, 33.

(41) Ibid. I, 43.

(42) S. Ioannes Damascenus, De fide orthodoxa, 1. IV, c. 14; PL XCIV, 1158 s. B.

(43) 1 Pet. 1:18, 19.

(44) 2 Cor. 6:20.

(45) Pius XI, litt. enc. Quas primas: AAS XVII, 1925, p. 599.

(46) Festum septem dolorum B. Mariae Virg., Tractus.

(47) Eadmerus, De excellentia Virginis Mariae, c. 11: PL CLIX, 508 A B.

(48) F. Suárez, De mysteriis vitae Christi, disp. XXII, sect. II (ed Vivès, XIX, 327).

(49) S. Irenaeus, Adv. haer., V, 19, 1: PG VII, 1175 B.

(50) Pius XI, epist. Auspicatus profecto: AAS XXV, 1933, p. 80.

(51) Pius XII, litt. enc. Mystici Corporis: AAS XXXV, 1943, p. 247.

(52) S. Sophronius, In annuntianone Beatae Mariae Virginis: PG LXXXVII, 3238 D; 3242 A.

(53) S. Germanus, Hom. II in dormitione Beatae Mariae Virginis: PG XCVIII, 354 B.

(54) S. Ioannes Damascenus, Hom. I in Dormitionem Beatae Mariae Virginis: PG XCVI, 715 A.

(55) Pius IX, bulla Ineffabilis Deus: Acta Pii IX, I, p. 597-598.

(55a) Unigena. – Ed.

(56) Ibid. p. 618.

(57) Leo XIII, litt. enc. Adiumcem populi: ASS, XXVIII, 1895-1896, p.130.

(58) Pius X, litt enc. Ad diem illum: ASS XXXVI, 1903-1904, p.455.

(59) S. Thomas, Summa Theol., I, q. 25, a. 6, ad 4.

(60) Pius XII, litt. enc. Humani generis: AAS XLII, 1950, p. 569.

(61) Ex Brev. Rom.: Festum Assumptionis Beatae Mariae Virginis.

(62) Cf. Gen. 9:13.

(63) Sir. 43:12-13.