I prayerfully greet you from the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. These past many months have been difficult for all of us, but I pray that you and your loved ones are well. Pope Francis said recently, “Mary, above all else, is “Mother.” She is the mother of Jesus, the Incarnate Word, and the spiritual mother of all the faithful. And thus, as mother, we must think of her, we must seek her, we must pray to her, She is our mother too.”
On August 15 we celebrate with our global Church the Solemnity of the Assumption, the glorious mystery of Mary’s bodily ascent to heaven at the end of her life. On the octave of the Assumption, August 22, we observe the Queenship of Mary, acknowledging her crowning by Christ with the gift of eternal life. We also celebrate the anniversary of the dedication of this beautiful and prayerful Shrine honoring Mary, Queen of the Universe. God willed Mary’s collaboration giving birth to Jesus. Mary’s simple response, “Let it be done unto me according to Your word.” Mary is a beautiful example of what it means to truly abandon ourselves to the will of God. Despite the uncertainty of circumstances, she placed her trust faithfully in our Lord. May we daily trust in the Lord, lean on Him in times of uncertainty and always find ways to rejoice, pray and give thanks.
