Opus Dei

We celebrate the feast of the Queenship of Mary on 22 August. These texts from the Magisterium, saints, and Christian poets can help us contemplate the crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of the universe.

When Mary was born, although no one living at the time was aware of what was happening, the angels in Heaven rejoiced. The Church celebrates the Nativity of our Lady on 8 September.

August 22 is the feast of our Lady's Queenship: "And the Angels pay her homage as her subjects... and the patriarchs and the prophets and the Apostles... and all sinners and you and I."

February 2nd is the feast of the Presentation. Mary offers her Son to God and learns that she too will share closely in Jesus' redemptive mission.

Texts about the Wise Men's adoration of the Child in Bethlehem from the Magisterum of the Church, saints, and Christian poets, to help prepare for the feast of the Epiphany.

Many Catholics have the pious custom of praying a novena from 30 November to 8 December, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. As the novena begins, here are a selection of texts from the Magisterium, Fathers of the Church and saints.

On 21 November, we celebrate the Presentation of Our Lady. According to Christian tradition, Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary, offered their daughter to God in the Temple at Jerusalem when she was a young girl.

The fifth reflection on our Lady’s life. St. Gabriel informs Mary of the divine way in which motherhood and virginity will unite in her womb.

Jose Antonio Loarte reflects on 20 key events in the life of our Lady, in light of the Gospel and the Church's Tradition. For annexes to each chapter with texts from the Magisterium, Fathers of the Church, saints and Christian poets, see below.

An article that will appear in the forthcoming issue of "Romana" (no. 59), written by Fr. Lucas Mateo-Seco shortly before his death in February 2014. The feast of Saint Joseph is celebrated in the Church on March 19.