Did you know that the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary was established by Pope Pius XII over 70 years ago? Dedicated to honoring Mary’s queenship over heaven and earth, this memorial is traditionally celebrated on August 22. In today’s post, we invite you to explore where Mary is honored as queen in the art and architecture of the Basilica in immersive 360° – take the tour below!
The Oratory of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu
The Oratory of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu in the Crypt Church features a mosaic reproduction of the 1619 painting, Madonna Ta’ Pinu. In this glittering gold tile depiction, angels surround Mary as they lift her from her tomb and place a crown on her head. On the floor in front of the mosaic are portrayals of the islands Gozo and Malta.
The Coronation of Mary Chapel
In the Coronation of Mary Chapel, Jesus is depicted as the King of Kings, honoring his mother Mary by seating her on a throne next to him and giving her a heavenly crown. Encircling her head are 12 stars, which symbolize the 12 tribes of Israel. Beneath the depiction of Mary and Jesus is the Old Testament parallel to Mary’s coronation: Bathsheba, the Queen Mother, receiving honor from her son, King Solomon, as he seats her next to him on his throne (1 King 2:19). The two panels are joined by the text from Revelation: “On her head is a crown of twelve stars,” (12:1). Located in the North Apse of the Great Upper Church, where the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary are portrayed, this chapel depicts the 5th decade, The Coronation of Mary.
The Mary, Queen of Ireland Oratory
The Mary, Queen of Ireland Oratory features the statue of Our Lady and the Holy Child. In this depiction, Mary holds Jesus tenderly on her knee. The hexagonal rock formation on which the statue is placed represents the Giant’s Causeway, an area in Northern Ireland where volcanic activity created a pattern of basalt columns on the coast of the sea. Surrounding the statue, mosaics and carvings depict the history of Irish Catholics and their devotion to Mary.
The Our Lady of Brezje Chapel
While the original painting of Our Lady of Brezje (also known as Mary, Help of Christians), was completed in 1814 by artist Leopold Layer, a copy of the painting is also featured in the Our Lady of Brezje Chapel in the National Shrine. In this depiction, the infant Jesus is shown reaching up and touching Mary’s face, and both Mary and Jesus wear ornate gold crowns crafted by goldsmith Alojz Źmuc.
The Mary, Queen of All Hearts Chapel
Located in the Basilica’s Great Upper Church, the Mary, Queen of All Hearts Chapel features a Botticino reredo which depicts Mary kneeling by the crib of the infant Jesus, offering Him to the world as she is crowned by angels on either side. The propagators of the devotion to the Blessed Mother, Saint Louis de Montfort and Marie-Louise de Jésus, appear below her.
Source:
Rohling, Geraldine M., PhD, MAEd. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Guide and Tour Book. Washington, D.C.: Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 2018.