Memorial of the queenship of Mary - Bishop Keehner reflection

August 22—The Memorial of the Queenship of Mary—A Reflection by Bishop Keehner

A year ago, I began a three month sabbatical by serving as chaplain to a group of pilgrims visiting the shrines of France, Spain and Portugal.  On this date in particular, August 22, I celebrated with them, in a side chapel at the Basilica in Lourdes, today’s Memorial of the Queenship of Mary.  And while this date will forever hold a special place in my heart for that reason, what I found especially memorable, even “electrifying”, was the Rosary procession which took place the evening before. 

I have to admit that I had arrived in Lourdes feeling rather defeated.   I was feeling somewhat ill, partly due to jetlag and a hectic schedule.  I had discovered earlier in the day that I had lost my credit cards, Ohio driver’s license, and cash.  I don’t know whether or not I had been pickpocketed in Paris or had simply neglected to close the compartment holding the cards and cash.  I was just grateful that I still had my passport.  So when, after arriving at the hotel where we were staying and a very quick dinner, a group of us rushed to the grounds of the Basilica for the procession, I was feeling rather down. 

 It’s funny how prayer can change our perspective. Taking part in that candlelight procession, while praying the Rosary in several different languages and singing together the Lourdes Hymn as I walked the grounds with thousands of other pilgrims from all over the world is an experience I will never forget.  I was reminded, as I prayed one Hail Mary after another, that I had no reason to be afraid or even to feel down.  The loss of some credit cards and a bit of cash was trivial in comparison to what I gained, and that was a feeling of overwhelming love.

I felt assurance of God’s love and in particular of the Blessed Mother’s maternal care for me and her willingness to wrap me in the mantle of her protection in order to lead me to her Son, Jesus.  A year later, when so much of my life has changed, I continue to feel that mantle of protection and that maternal care I felt so acutely in Lourdes.  May we all seek to find that same protection in the maternal care of Mary, the Mother of God.  

May we seek to place ourselves under the mantle of her protection, so that no matter what goes wrong in our lives, we will know that we are never left alone.  May we recognize Mary as the Queen of Heaven, certainly, but also as the Queen of our hearts, who wants to lead us into a deeper relationship with her Son, Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life.  

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