Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/167

 becoming that  she,  who  once  with  Jesus  wore  the crown of  shame  and  contempt,  should  now  share with Him  the  crown  of  immortal  glory. It was but fair  and  just  that  the  immaculate  being  who was chosen,  above  all  inhabitants  of  heaven  and earth, to  be  the  true  and  worthy  Mother  of  God, should now  be  solemnly  installed  over  all  creatures in heaven  and  on  earth  as  the  queen  of  angels  and men, and  that  to  her  should  be  offered  homage, praise, and  honor  by  the  blessed  spirits  and  by the  souls  of  the  saints. But the  crown  which  she received is  not  one  made  of  gold  and  precious stones; it  is  composed  of  the  virtues  with  which Mary, in  faithful  co-operation  with  divine  grace, embellished herself;  it  consists,  too,  of  all  the homage and  glory  which  she  receives  as  queen  of heaven. The most  precious  gem  in  this  crown  is the  filial  love  and  gratitude  Jesus  shows  toward His Mother  in  heaven.

ndeed, "eye  hath  not  seen,  ear  hath  not  heard, neither  has  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man," what the  heavenly  Father  has  prepared  in  the mansions of  eternal  bliss  for  His  beloved  Daughter, the  Son  for  His  Blessed  Mother,  and  the Holy Ghost  for  His  chosen  Spouse. She is  now queen of  heaven  and  earth;  of  heaven,  for  she  is the  queen  of  all  angels  and  saints;  of  earth,  for  as Mother  of  God  she  is  the  Mother  of  all  mankind,