Jesus Youth and the image of Mary, Queen of the Apostles (BJRE020)


 Jesus Youth and the image of Mary, Queen of the Apostles

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath - Published in Kairos Magazine in 2019)

In 2013, the Jesus Youth movement requested permission from the Pallottines to use the beautiful image of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, in connection with the formation programs. Raiju was the international coordinator then, and he wrote to Fr Jacob, the head of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, as the Pallottine fathers and brothers are formally known. The congregation willingly gave us permission, and Jesus Youth started using the image from that time onwards in connection with the formation programs and Jesus Youth Household. 

For the first time, I specially came across this image in Nagpur, India, in 1997. Shelton and I were giving training to the Pallottine brothers at the seminary in this central Indian city. We had a very enjoyable time with the Pallottine community, and Fr Mathew, their Provincial, who had invited us to the program, shared the congregation’s mission with us. St Vincent Pallotti, who lived long before the Second Vatican Council, had a prophetic vision of lay involvement in the Church's evangelistic mission. Later, Father showed us the big painting of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, and explained its significance. For me, that was really a ‘wow’ experience. Mother Mary is surrounded by the great and insignificant Apostles in the full glory of the Pentecost. The themes of the Pentecostal experience, the missionary sending, and a participative community are beautifully depicted there.

The painting well represents the great saint’s vision of the Christian mission. In the 1840s, he made the Italian painter Serafino Cesaretti do this image. The original painting is kept in the Regina Apostolorum Parish in Rome. Many Jesus Youth leaders had the joyful opportunity to view it when we all went to Rome in connection with the movement's Canonical approval in 2016. Now, its copies are worldwide and, recently, in most Jesus Youth homes after the movement took her as our patroness. 

An inspiring image

As the image represents, Mary is at the center of the Pentecost. After the departure of Our Lord, she was there to hold together the dissipating little flock, encouraging them and praying for and with them. Their hope-filled waiting bore fruit in the outpouring of the Power from on high. 

The glory of Pentecost shines on every one of them. They are all engulfed in that heavenly anointing and blissful experience. They are all visibly transformed by that heavenly touch. Mary is aglow with the Spirit, and a tongue of fire representing the Heavenly Spirit rests on top of everyone. 

 This Marian leadership, as well as the transforming touch of the Spirit, knit them up into a community. They are one in heart and mind and gathered around Mary. This gentle circle brings them close to one another, packed into a close body, and they are ready to be sent out. 

The presence of a couple of young women in the inner circle was quite important for St Pallotti. The great mission of the Kingdom is entrusted not only to the ‘high and mighty’ Apostles but also to the ordinary laymen and women who have significant roles. Thus, the presence of the ordinary ones in the picture is of special importance.  

Today, after the Council, there is much talk about the ‘hierarchical’ gifts of the clergy and the ‘charismatic’ gifts of the ordinary faithful. In the image in front of the senior apostle, a set of keys is left on the floor. Surely, when the Holy Spirit befalls, there comes about a leveling of the high and the low, and all become one in the mission of Christ. 

This is also that great moment of sending forth. Yet, as we can see in the picture, the Christian mission is not the hustle and bustle of restless activity but the joyful and gentle move of the Spirit impelling the apostles to go forth together to welcome all others into the Cenacle. 

An Inspiring Image of Jesus Youth

When I first looked at this image at Nagpur, I immediately thought, ‘Wow, this has to be Jesus Youth,’ filled with the spirit, united as a community, presided over by the mother, and sent forth on mission. 

Usually, our Catholic response to any holy image is to quickly recollect and offer our needs and say, “Prayer for us . . .”. But shouldn’t we go a little further? This beautiful image is for us to look at it gently and, in the silence of our hearts, allow it to speak to us. My thought is what is needed is not a growing devotion to Mary, Queen of the Apostles, or more prayer to the Holy Mother, but a contemplation of her and the Pentecost, a greater reflection of its beauty and mystery, leading to a deep inspiration that grows into a mission.

There are different representations of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, but in St Vincent Pallotti’s inspiring image, we found a befitting reflection of the core vision of Jesus Youth. As we look at it and allow it to speak to us, may the Lord fill us with a greater measure of His Spirit and allow us to grow into the image of His holy Mother. 

= Pointers for Reflection =
1. What do you find special about this image?
2. What is the significance of St Vincent Pallotti's vision in contemporary times?
3. What is the importance of the image's message for the Jesus Youth movement?
4. How can we use this image in a more relevant manner?

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