The titles of Mary

Mary, The Virgin Mother of Jesus is one of the most inspiring names in the Christian world. She has different titles, names, and litanies. Cathedrals, shrines and churches have been named and raised in her honor, and all of them have different names, i.e., Our Lady (Notre Dame), Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Abandoned (Marikina), Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Antipolo), and etc.

These titles and names only refer to one person, Mary, also called as "Theotokos", which means "God-Bearer." The title declares the most important truth about Mary, that she is the mother of God. The use of the title preserved the teaching of the Church that Jesus was both divine and human, and was united to one person. Also, this reaffirmed the truth of what occurred in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Morever, these titles are received from events that took place in Christian history and was narrated in the Sacred Scripture. Apart from this, the titles could also be from dogmas or beliefs that we have learned through Church Doctrine. Additionally, a title is received commemorating Mary’s apparitions in certain places and some of Mary's powerful roles as an intercessor, and the way she guides us towards Christ. Lastly, her live experiences as the mother of Jesus and titles that were given to the Virgin Mary in honor of her multiples merits. These titles and names only refer to one person, the Mother of God. Listed below are some of the titles of Mary:

Queen of Virgins Mary is entitled "The Queen of Virgins" or "Virgin of Virgins" not only because She is the greatest of all Virgins, but because She is the example of virginity, and the Queen of all who have vowed themselves to the virgin life for the love of God.

Mother of Church Mary is also called the Mother of the Church, for she is not only acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer, but also the mother of the members of Christ.

Mother of Divine Grace We honor Mary as Mother of Divine Grace since she is the Mother of the Son of God. She conceived, bore, and nourished Christ and was united with her son’s suffering as He died on the cross. In an incomparable way she acted, by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity, with our Savior’s work of restoring supernatural life to souls.

Mother of Good Counsel Mary is the Mother of God. His gifts of wisdom, understanding, and counsel belong to her. She is Our Mother of Good Counsel. If to her was granted the wisdom to counsel her Son, surely she has the wisdom to counsel the poor humanity.

Virgin Most Merciful Mary is also called as, “Virgin Most Merciful.” She became a mother not only to Christ, but also to the humanity. We are led, watched over, prompted, even given special graces and protected from harm, even harm which we sometimes chose to bring upon ourselves.

Mirror of Justice Mary was given the title "Mirror of Justice" because She was a perfect copy of the virtues of Jesus. When one lives with a person, without even reflecting upon it, the views, ideas, and ways of the person are adopted unconsciously. In this way, we may compare ourselves in that mirror, and see what is wrong and faulty in ourselves, and in our spiritual attire; how unlike we are to Mary, our model, and what we have to do to better reflect her virtues.

Seat of Wisdom She is also called the Seat of wisdom because wisdom was embraced by her son, Jesus, whom she carried by virtue of her role as the Mother of Christ. She also possessed and practiced true wisdom.

Mystical Rose.l Mary is also entitled "The Mystical Rose" since the rose is considered the queen of flowers, so Mary as Queen of All Saints. She is described as the "mystical rose without thorn," the "rose of paradise," and the "rose bringing salvation to all who call upon her."

The Tower of David The Tower of David is great for its strength and beauty and was used for the defense of the city of Jerusalem. Mary is a symbol of the tower because of the virtues where she presented in beauty and strength. She also defended and protected her Son, and continues to defend and protect us, and His brothers and sisters.

The Tower of Ivory Mary is also called "The Tower of Ivory" for through the wealth of grace that we are brought into union of God through Mary. Mary is known to be similar to the Tower of Ivory because it has been a symbol of peace, wealth and joyous feasting.

Ark of Covenant Mary was the blessed vessel that carried the promise of God to Abraham, just as Jesus was carried by the new Ark, the womb of Mary.

Gate of Heaven Jesus told us that we can only get to the Father through the Son, but Jesus had to get to us through his Mother, Mary. Therefore, she is called the “Gate of Heaven” because she delivered Jesus to us.

Morning Star Mary is called as the Morning Star, for the morning star shines brightly before the sun rises, so as Mary, The Mother of Jesus, who is the Light and Guide of the humanity.

Conceived Without Original Sin Mary is referred to as the Immaculate Conception because when she was conceived by her parents, she was given the grace of being saved by Christ before she was born. She was redeemed, and She remained sinless from the moment of her conception throughout her life.

Comforter of the Afflicted During our time of sorrows and pain, we ask Mary to wrap us in Her arms just as She did to protect Jesus when She and Joseph fled to Egypt. Mary watched her Son be sacrificed before Her on the cross, knows what true sorrow, heartbreak and sadness. She understands our pain and can comfort us in our sorrow and trials.

Queen of Angels When the mother of God is seated on her throne beside her Divine Son, it is the angels who are often envisioned as placing her crown upon her head. The name is also tied to the Assumption of Mary into Heaven and described in Revelation as “a woman clothed with the sun, the head, a crown of twelve stars.” (Rev. 12:1)

Queen of all Saints None of the saints became saints without a devotion to the one whom Jesus came to us through. She was the one who carried and cared for our Lord throughout His life, and was a perfect example of a saintly life, here on earth and in Heaven.

Queen Assumed into Heaven Mary is known to be the most important and influential women in the royal court. A king would always listen to his mother, they said. He is the King of Kings, which would make Mary, the Queen of Heaven.

Queen of the Holy Rosary The use of prayer beads and repeated prayers has been a long-time practice from the earliest of days from the church. The rosary as we know it is credited to a vision given to St. Dominic. In 1571, Pope Pius V asked the faithful to pray the rosary in preparation for battle. Although outnumbered, the Christians won countless of times and thanks were given to the Lord and the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother.

Undoer of Knots Mary also knows as the Undoer of knots because Eve, by her disobedience, tied the human race into the knots of sin. Conversely, Mary, through her obedience to the will of the Father, unties these knots.

Star of the Sea Mary is also known as Our Lady Star of the Sea, the patroness of seafarers. The title of Mary as Star of the Sea can be traced back to St. Jerome who referred to Mary as Stella Maris. Referring to Mary as Star of the Sea shows how she is both a guiding star and a beacon of hope for Christians.

Mother Most Sorrowful The title of Mother Most Sorrowful comes from the ancient devotion to Our Lady’s Seven Sorrows. Mary Most Sorrowful is traditionally depicted with seven swords in her heart or the image of the pieta.

Mother Thrice Admirable According to Fr. Kenntenich, founder of Schonstattt, Mary is thrice admirable because she is the Mother of God, the Mother of Christ, and the Mother of all human beings.

Mother of Perpetual Help This title for Mary takes its name from a painting purportedly painted by St. Luke whilst Mary was still living on Earth. According to tradition, Mary is said to have stated that her grace will always accompany.

Refuge of Sinners Just as Mary sheltered Christ as Her child within Her womb, so does She offer a safe haven for all of us sinners who seek Her help. Although Jesus Christ remains our only mediator and advocate with the Father, Mary is the intermediary between a sinful world and her most beloved Son.

Above all, Mary is honored because of her "Yes" to God's Will. This leads us to the call of every Christian to live our lives for God as Mary did. It is the path to genuine peace and the mystery of meaning itself. This is what the Christian Scripture calls the "more excellent way," the way of love. Mary understands this "way" and walked on it with extraordinary humility. She is a model for all believers and from her we learn how to live a life of virtue. She is the perfect example of human cooperation with God's love, a model for all who dedicate their love and life to God.