This feast was created by Pius XII in 1954. Mary participates in the reign of Christ, and honor given to her redounds to the glory of her Son, Christ our Lord. This is a privileged day (OL Queen of Palestine) for members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.
The first reading of today's Mass is taken from the Christmas midnight Mass: Isaiah 9:1-6: The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone. You have made their gladness greater, you have made their joy increase; they rejoice in your presence as men rejoice at harvest time, as men are happy when they are dividing the spoils. For the yoke that was weighing on him, the bar across his shoulders, the rod of his oppressor, these you break as on the day of Midian.
It is interesting that in the weekday lectionary cycle we are now reading of Gideon and the "day of Midian." This refers to the destruction that Gideon and his small number of Hebrew forces won over the Midianites. The light that scattered the darkness, the increase of gladness and joy, are the result of Christ's glorious incarnation. Even at his birth, the yoke of sin was broken, the rod of the oppressor smashed. This recollection of the prophet Isaiah was not originally meant to speak about Jesus. However, the Church has long looked at the Old Testament as a gold mine of prophecy about Christ. Even if the prophets did not know of Jesus, their words can still tell us much of the coming holy redeemer.
Collect: Father, you have given us the mother of your Son to be our queen and mother. with the support of her prayers may we come to share the glory of your children in the kingdom of heaven. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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