In the early years of the foundation of the Pauline Family, Blessed James Alberione was concerned that the spirituality he communicated to his sons and daughters would not be a matter of sterile words, or of abstractly pious thoughts. He knew the importance of the “way of beauty” and the power of the image to communicate and engage the person on many levels at once, and made every effort to have his understanding of spiritual realities depicted in various art forms. He gave detailed instructions to artists for every rendition of Mary as “Queen of Apostles.”
The picture precisely represents Mary carrying out her proper role: giving Jesus to the world. She is not holding Jesus tightly to herself, but offering him as light to all who pass by. He carries the scroll of the gospel, the Word of life. With his right hand he is gesturing with two fingers; in the first centuries this indicated not so much a blessing as the authority of the teacher who explains wisdom.
“And what must you accomplish in the world by representing Mary, by imitating Mary? First, interior holiness, and then after, giving Jesus to the world.” (Bl. James Alberione, Founder)
Prayer to Mary, Queen of Apostles
O Mary, Star of the Sea, my gentle sovereign, our life and Queen of Peace, how great and how wonderful the day on which the Holy Trinity crowned you Queen of heaven and earth, dispenser of all graces, our most lovable Mother–what a triumph for you! What happiness for the angels, for the saints, for the earth, for purgatory! I know, O Mary, that those who love you will be saved, and that those who love you greatly will be holy and will participate one day in your glory in heaven. I do not doubt your clemency nor your power; I fear my inconstancy in praying to you. Obtain for me perseverance. O Mary, be my salvation! Do not permit me to fall; do not leave me even for an instant, O Mother. It is consoling to cast the first glance upon you in the morning, to walk under your mantle during the day, to fall asleep under your gaze at night. O Mary, to you I consecrate my entire life; pray for me now and in the final battle at the hour of my death. Receive my soul when it breathes its last, and do not leave me until I kneel before your throne in heaven, to love you for all eternity. O Mary, my Queen, my advocate, my sweetness, obtain for me holy perseverance.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
