God’s temple in heaven was opened,
and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet,
and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
   

“Now have salvation and power come,
 and the Kingdom of our God
 and the authority of his Anointed One.” (Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab)

The image of the woman with child, clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown of 12 stars, has always captured the imagination of the church. Our response to these great signs is to join with Mary in singing the praises of the Lord: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, and holy is his Name.”