Hail Queen of the Heavens

"Because the virgin Mary was raised to such a lofty dignity
as to be the mother of the King of kings,
it is deservedly and by every right that the Church
has honored her with the title of 'Queen.'"
​- St. Alphonsus Ligouri

Rerum Supremo - Hymn from Lauds for the Queenship of Mary

Glorious majesty, pure light unfailing, 
Shines as your diadem, sweet Virgin Mary,
Daughter of David's race, further exalted
Over angelic hosts, close to the Godhead.

Virginal purity stays with you always,
Honor of Motherhood adds to your glory; 
You were the resting place of the Eternal;
Of the Almighty one, King of the angels. 

Whom the earth venerates, humbly adoring,
To whose almighty love knees bend in worship,
May He assist us all on our life's journey
To win true happiness, casting off darkness. 

Hear us tender Father, Light uncreated,
Through your beloved Son and through the Spirit,
Who ever reigns with you, guiding and ruling,
For all eternity in your bright kingdom. Amen. 

---

"Because of the honour due her Son, it was indeed fitting for the Virgin Mother to have first ruled upon earth and then be raised up to heaven in glory. It was fitting that her fame be spread in this world below, so that she might enter the heights of heaven on overwhelming blessedness. Just as she was borne from virtue to virtue by the Spirit of the Lord, she was transported from earthly renown to heavenly brightness. 

"So it was that she began to taste the fruits of her future reign while still in the flesh. At one moment she withdrew to God in ecstasy; at the next she would bend down to her neighbours with indescribable love. In heaven angels served her, while here on earth she was venerated by the service of men. Gabriel and the angels waited upon her in heaven. The virgin John, rejoicing that the Virgin Mother was entrusted to him at the cross, cared for her with the other apostles here below. The angels rejoiced to see their queen; the apostles rejoiced to see their lady, and both obeyed her with loving devotion." 
- Office of Readings for the Queenship of Mary by St. Amadeus​
​

"The Blessed Virgin Mary should be called Queen,
not only because of her Divine Motherhood,
but also because God has willed her to have an exceptional role
in the work of our eternal salvation." 
- Ad Caeli Reginam: on Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary (Pope Pius XII)