June 2nd 
Chapter Thirty of the Imitation of Mary, by Thomas a Kempis
Of the Eternal Royalty of Love

Upon her head, like that of a queen, is placed a crown of twelve stars.  These twelve stars on the brow of Mary are the twelve prerogatives of the Queen and of the Mother before God in heaven.  She possesses, indeed, in the Church Triumphant, surpassing all other blessed spirits, four special prerogatives:  the power of listening with great goodness; of condescending with great mercy; of intervening for us with great power; and of succoring on earth with great ease.

She, has besides, in the Church Triumphant, four privileges, outstanding among all:  she is resplendent more than all others; she is glorified more than all others; she is loved more tenderly than all others; she is honored more fervently than all others.

Mary possesses also, in relation to the Trinity, four particular favors, which are for her like brilliant stars midst fainter stars.  Better, truly, than those who contemplate the glory of the Divine Trinity:  she contemplates fully the Divine Trinity Itself; she knows with greater joy Its sweetness; she comprehends with greater profundity Its mysteries; she tastes with greater charm its richness.

Listen again, listen devoutly, to what the greatest of the servants of Mary, the doctor of gentle speech, St Bernard, said to his religious about the stars which form a crown on the forehead of the Virgin:  "No one can estimate the importance of the jewels, no one can count the number of the gems which adorn the diadem of Mary in Heaven.  It is an undertaking above our power, that of examining the value, or of scrutinizing the composition of her brilliant aureole.  We shall undertake to do so with humility.  Without wishing to penetrate the secrets of the Lord, it seems that one can see in the twelve stars the twelve prerogatives of our Mother.  We find indeed in the Virgin Mary, privileges granted to her soul, privileges infused into her heart, privileges attached to her body.  And if we multiply this number three, by the number of the four known favors, we shall find the number of twelve stars which shine on the brow of Mary, our Queen.  We find these wonders, at her birth, in the salutation she received form the angel, in the overshadowing of her by the Holy Spirit, and finally in the conception of Jesus Himself."

O most loving Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven, Mistress of the Earth, O you, the Joy of Saints, and the Salvation of sinners, listen to the appeals of our repentant hearts!  Listen to the desires of our souls at prayer!  Come to the help of the poor and the infirm!  Renew the courage of the afflicted!  Protect your children against their enemies!  Deliver them from the snares of the devils!  Lead them near to you in blessedness in heaven, where you reign with your Son in the midst of the elect for all eternity!