QUEEN OF HEAVEN AND EARTH

This stained glass graphic window is centered on the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth. After centuries of theological reflection on Sacred scripture, sacred tradition, liturgical celebrations, popular devotion especially the rosary, and with the urging of the worldwide college of bishops, Pope Pius the XII, in the encyclical Munificentissimus Deus, declared the Assumption of the Virgin Mary to be a dogma of the church. The Church received this with great joy. The encyclical reads in part as follows: “Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from the stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and was exalted by the Lord as Queen of all things, so that she might be the more conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.”

Pius XII established this feast in 1954. Mary’s queenship has roots in Scripture. At the Annunciation Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would receive the throne of David and rule forever. At the Visitation, Elizabeth calls Mary “mother of my Lord.” As in all the mysteries of Mary’s life, Mary is closely associated with Jesus: Her queenship is a share in Jesus’ kingship. We can also recall that in the Old Testament the mother of the king has great influence in court. The whole Church

Celebrates this feast on August 22

Above the central image is a dove, which represents the Holy Spirit. On the border of the window are twenty bright blue beads that represent the twenty mysteries of the rosary. The coronation of Mary as queen of heaven and earth is the fifth glorious mystery. In between these are eighteen star like shapes that represent the angels at the service of Mary as Queen of the angels. On the top of the border are seven winged shapes that represent the seven spirits that surround the throne of God in the book of Revelations. Beneath the central image are three large ovals. The central oval contains an ancient royal

symbol of Mary. On the left is an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and on the right is an image Stella Maris (Star of the Sea) that is an ancient portrayal of Mary that is recounted in prayer and song.