Mary in the Fall

While many young people are probably familiar with Mary’s identification as Immaculate Conception, Mother of the Church, Our Lady of Fatima, and Our Lady of Lourdes, there are some titles that may be unknown to them. From the list that follows, encourage members of your group to discover more about these Marian titles. They could search online, through books about Mary and even by contacting a shrine or parish with that title.

			The Black Madonna of Czestochowa—Many people believe this icon, now in Poland, was painted by St. Luke or St. John the disciple. In 1655 Our Lady was named Queen of Poland.
			Our Lady of La Vang—During the late 1800s Vietnamese Catholics suffered persecution. They prayed the Rosary to Our Lady nightly. A statue and church named after her can be found in Louisville, Kentucky.
			Our Lady of La Salette—Two French children saw an apparition of Our Lady during the mid-nineteenth century. She wept continually, calling for people to return to prayer.
			Our Lady of Walsingham—During the eleventh century, a wealthy woman in England received a favor through the intercession of Our Lady. In gratitude, the woman had a small chapel built there to honor Mary.
			Our Lady of the Pillar—In the first century, James the apostle prayed to Mary during a difficult time in his life. Tradition holds that she appeared to him and requested a church be built in her honor.
			Our Lady of the Snows—St. Mary Major Basilica was built in Rome during the fourth century. People had prayed for Mary to indicate where to build a church in her honor. A miraculous midsummer snowfall marked the spot where the church was to be built.