# Stairway to Heaven: A Journey with Our Lady, the May Queen
*2017-02-27*

> Bill Young reflects on the Advent season, uses the song “Stairway to Heaven” as a spiritual metaphor, and leads a consecration to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal followed by the Hail Holy Queen.

## Opening Thoughts

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today is Tuesday, November 22, the day before Thanksgiving, and this Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent. I wasn’t sure what to say before the holiday, but the Holy Spirit prompted me to think about a “Stairway to Heaven.” I realized we’re all on a path toward that stairway, moving from basic parish life to retreats, conferences, and deeper discipleship.

## The Song as a Spiritual Lens

I looked up the lyrics of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and was struck by how the words echo our journey. The song mentions two paths and the idea that “in the long run there’s still time to change the road you’re on.” Interestingly, the original lyric says “the tune will come to you at last,” but the version I heard changed it to “the truth will come to you at last.” I see the Holy Spirit guiding even popular culture to point us toward truth.

## Consecration to{Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal} (The May Queen)​
Adevant the Advent season, I wanted to honor Mary, the Queen of Heaven, often called the May Queen. I led a short consecration:
A1e, we come before you, O Glorious Queen of the Universe, acknowledging your maternal love. We consecrate ourselves and our families to your Immaculate Heart, asking for protection, grace, healing for the sick, and the sanctification of our souls. May we live in holiness and share in the eternal happiness promised to the devoted. Amen.

## Prayer of the Hail Holy Queen (Modern Version)​
A1, we continue with a modern rendition of the Hail Holy Queen:
C1, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, our hope. We cry to you, poor banished children of Eve,
C2, turn your eyes of mercy toward us. May the fruit of your womb, Jesus, intercede for1e1. O Clement, O Loving Virgin Mary, pray for us, that we may be worthy of Christ’s promises.1e1. Amen.

## Thanksgiving and Final Blessing​
C1, as we approach Thanksgiving, I pray for families who lack material abundance but have the riches of God’s love. May the poor be first in the Kingdom, and may all enjoy a blessed, fruitful Thanksgiving. God bless you and your families.

*Even a rock song can point us toward the truth when we listen with the Holy Spirit.*