On August 22, Catholics celebrate the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, honoring Mary as Queen. 

For Catholics, titles like “Queen of Heaven” may sound familiar. They appear in prayers such as the Hail Holy Queen and throughout centuries of Catholic art and devotion. 

But for someone unfamiliar with Catholic teaching, the title can raise an obvious question: Why do Catholics call Mary the Queen of Heaven? 

The answer has much less to do with making Mary divine—and much more to do with who Catholics believe Jesus Christ is. 

Is Mary the Queen of Heaven? 

Catholics honor Mary as Queen because Jesus is King. Mary’s queenship always points back to Christ. 

Catholics do not believe that Mary is a goddess. She is not equal to God, and Catholics do not worship her. Mary is a human being completely dependent upon God’s grace. 

But she is also the woman God chose to be the mother of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God and King of Kings. Because Christ is King, the Church has traditionally honored His mother as Queen. 

Pope Pius XII explained this connection in his 1954 encyclical Ad Caeli Reginam, On Proclaiming the Queenship of Mary. He taught that Mary’s royal dignity is rooted above all in her relationship to Jesus Christ, the Divine King. 

Why Would the King’s Mother Be Queen? 

To understand the Queenship of Mary, it helps to understand the biblical world in which Jesus lived. 

In the kingdom of David, the king’s mother occupied a position of particular honor. We see a striking example in 1 Kings 2. 

When Bathsheba, the mother of King Solomon, enters the king’s presence, Solomon rises to meet her and has a throne placed for his mother at his right hand. You can read 1 Kings 2 in the USCCB Bible. 

The queen mother was not the king. She did not possess his authority independently. But she occupied a privileged place in the royal household. 

This Old Testament pattern helps Catholics understand Mary’s role. Jesus is repeatedly identified in Scripture as the heir to the throne of David. If Christ is the eternal Davidic King, His mother holds a unique place in His Kingdom. 

Mary’s queenship, therefore, does not compete with the kingship of Jesus. It depends entirely upon it. 

Does the Bible Say Mary Is Queen of Heaven? 

The Bible does not contain a verse that simply states, “Mary is the Queen of Heaven.” Catholic teaching, however, often understands Scripture by looking at how its themes and images fit together across both the Old and New Testaments. 

One particularly important passage is Revelation 12. St. John describes a great sign in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She gives birth to a male child who is destined to rule the nations. 

The woman in Revelation carries layers of biblical meaning and symbolizes the people of God and the Church. Catholic tradition also recognizes a Marian dimension in the image because Mary is the mother of the Messiah. 

The image of a crowned woman in heaven has therefore played an important role in Catholic reflection on Mary’s queenship. Her glory does not originate in herself. It comes from what God has accomplished in her through Jesus Christ. 

What Is the Feast of the Queenship of Mary? 

The Catholic Church celebrates the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary every August 22. The USCCB’s 2026 liturgical calendar lists the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the August 22 memorial. 

The feast was formally established by Pope Pius XII in 1954 in Ad Caeli Reginam. Its modern placement on the calendar, one week after the Solemnity of the Assumption on August 15, invites Catholics to contemplate Mary’s heavenly glory and, more importantly, the victory of her Son. 

Why Do Catholics Honor Mary? 

The distinction between honoring Mary and worshiping Mary is essential to understanding Catholic belief. Worship belongs to God alone. 

Catholics honor Mary because she is the mother of Jesus and an extraordinary example of faith and obedience. Everything Catholics believe about Mary ultimately points toward who Jesus is and what God has accomplished through Him. 

For a broader explanation of this and other common Catholic teachings, read Catholic Radio Network’s What Do Catholics Believe? 10 Key Facts About the Catholic Faith. 

At the Annunciation, Mary freely said yes to God’s plan. She carried Jesus in her womb. She raised Him. She followed Him. She remained near Him at the Cross. And Scripture shows her united in prayer with the apostles as the early Church awaited the Holy Spirit. 

Catholic devotion to Mary is ultimately meant to draw attention toward Christ. Mary’s words at the wedding feast at Cana summarize her role beautifully: “Do whatever he tells you.” Those words remain at the heart of authentic Marian devotion. Mary leads Christians toward her Son. 

Do Catholics Pray to Mary? 

Catholics ask Mary to pray for them. This is what Catholics mean when they speak about Mary’s intercession. 

The basic idea is similar to asking a friend, family member or fellow parishioner, “Please pray for me.” Catholics believe that the saints in heaven remain alive in Christ and united to His Church. Asking Mary or another saint for prayer does not replace praying directly to God. Rather, it expresses the communion Christians share in Christ. 

This is exactly what Catholics do each time they pray the Hail Mary: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners.” The request is not “save us.” It is pray for us. Christ alone is the Savior. 

If you would like to explore Marian prayer alongside other Catholic practices, Catholic Radio Network’s guide to 5 Popular Catholic Devotions and What They Mean explains the Rosary and several other popular devotions. 

What Does the Queenship of Mary Teach Us? 

The Queenship of Mary is not only a theological teaching about Mary’s place in heaven. It also tells us something about what God desires for every Christian. 

Mary’s story is a story of surrender. She trusted God without knowing exactly how His plan would unfold. She followed Christ through joy and suffering. She remained faithful even at the foot of the Cross. 

Mary’s crown points toward the destiny God desires for all His children: eternal life with Him. Her queenship reminds us that holiness—not wealth, popularity, power or worldly achievement—is what ultimately lasts. 

How Can Catholics Celebrate the Queenship of Mary? 

The Memorial of the Queenship of Mary is an ideal day to renew your relationship with the Blessed Mother and, through her example, grow closer to Jesus. You might: 

• Pray the Rosary 

• Pray the Hail Holy Queen 

• Read Revelation 12 

• Meditate on Mary’s role in the life of Christ 

• Attend Mass 

• Ask Mary to intercede for a particular person or intention 

• Perform an act of charity in imitation of her humble service 

One of the Church’s best-known Marian prayers begins, “Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy…” As you pray, remember why Catholics honor Mary: not because she takes the place of Jesus, but because her entire life points us toward Him. 

Grow Deeper in Your Catholic Faith 

Whether you are a lifelong Catholic, returning to the Church or simply trying to understand Catholic beliefs about Mary, asking questions is a good place to begin. 

Catholic Radio Network offers faithful Catholic teaching, prayer, Scripture, conversation and encouragement to help you continue growing in your relationship with Christ. 

Listen online through Catholic Radio Network’s five livestreams, find your local Catholic Radio Network station, or download the Catholic Radio Network app for Apple or Android.