The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady Queen every August 22. Have you ever wondered when Mary was crowned Queen of Heaven and what the 12 stars on her crown signify? Let’s delve into the official documents of the Catholic Church and the insights of revered saints to uncover the secrets of this glorious mystery.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Mary’s coronation as Queen occurred at the moment of her Assumption, when she was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. The dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium states, “The Immaculate Virgin… was exalted by the Lord as universal Queen so that she might more fully resemble her Son, Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.”
The biblical passage from the Apocalypse, quoted by the Vatican, describes Mary as a heavenly queen, “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the last Father of the Church, interpreted the meaning of these 12 stars, grouping them into three categories of four.
The first four stars represent the singular privileges of Mary’s generation, the angel’s greeting, the Holy Spirit’s descent upon her, and the conception of Jesus. From these stars, four more shine brightly, signifying Mary’s virginity, fertility without corruption, pregnancy without fatigue, and painless childbirth.
The final four stars, radiant with special splendour, symbolize Mary’s meekness, humble devotion, the magnanimity of faith, and martyrdom of the heart. These 12 stars on Mary’s crown embody her extraordinary graces and privileges, solidifying her position as Queen of Heaven.