March is widely acknowledged in the United States as Women’s History Month. What better way to celebrate than to honor the most perfect woman to ever exist?
Here are 10 Marian titles to know and cherish:
1) Our Lady of Guadalupe
In December of 1531, Our Lady appeared to Saint Juan Diego, an indigenous farmer in Mexico, speaking to him in his native language.
She appeared several more times, asking him to petition the bishop to build a church in her honor. She told him to bring roses to the bishop, and when all the roses fell, Our Lady’s image was painted on his tilma.
The tilma with her image can still be seen today in the Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.
Her feast day is celebrated on Dec. 12.
2) Our Lady of Fatima
During World War I in 1917, Our Lady appeared six times in Portugal to three children: Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta.
During these visits, Our Lady urged them to pray the rosary for peace, an end to the war, and for the sins of humanity.
She also revealed three prophetic secrets to the children, all of which came true.
In the second apparition, she told Lucia, "My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God.”
Our Lady of Fatima's feast is celebrated on May 13.
In 2017, Pope Francis canonized Saints Jacinta and Francisco, while advancing the case for sainthood for Sister Lucia.
3) Our Lady, Undoer of Knots
Though this is not an apparition, this Marian devotion is about 300 years old.
The story of this devotion comes from German nobleman Wolfgang Langenmantel who was very close to divorcing his wife, Sophie.
He went to Jesuit priest Father Jakob Rem for counseling, and the two prayed for his marriage and asked for the intercession of the Blessed Mother.
On Sept. 28, 1615, Wolfgang gave the priest his wedding ribbon, which was once used as a symbol of unity at their wedding.
Father Rem then asked Mary to “untie the knots” of their marriage. The ribbon untied and became white, with the couple completely reconciled.
The image features Mary in Heaven crushing Satan's head, undoing white knots.
This special novena can be found here. We celebrate the feast of Our Lady, Undor of Knots on Sept. 28.
4) Our Mother of Perpetual Help
This Marian title is associated with the 15th-century Byzantine icon, “The Theotokos of the Passion.”
The icon depicts Mary comforting the Infant Jesus in fear as He sees the Archangels Michael and Gabriel with the instruments that will be used in His Passion.
The fear of our Lord essentially captures His human nature, a sacrifice He made to save us.
This title reminds us that we are offered the comfort and protection of the Blessed Mother.
The Church celebrates her feast day on June 27.
5) Immaculate Heart of Mary
This devotion signifies Mary’s fiat--her total dedication to doing the will of God.
It also reveals her purity and interior life, experiencing great suffering and great joy, while still being fully faithful to God.
The image traditionally features Mary’s heart, surrounded by roses and pierced with a sword to symbolize Her sorrows.
The Church celebrates this feast on the Saturday following the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 2024, we celebrate the feast on June 8.
However, Our Lady calls us to reflect and celebrate Her Immaculate Heart on the first Saturday of each month.
6) Our Lady of Knock
This apparition occurred on Aug. 21, 1879, at St. John the Baptist church in Knock, County Mayo, Ireland.
Unlike other apparitions, Our Lady did not speak, but Her eyes gazed on Heaven while she wore a crown and white cloak.
She was accompanied by Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Joseph. Also present was the image of the Eucharistic Lamb surrounded by angels. This vision lasted for three hours and 15 witnesses gave their testimony.
Her feast day is celebrated on Aug. 21.
7) Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
On July 18, 1830, the Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Catherine Labourè in a chapel where they had an intimate conversation.
Four months later on Nov. 27, 1830, Mary appeared to Saint Catherine again on a globe, with light rays streaming from her hands.
Around her was an inscription, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
When Mary spoke to Saint Catherine, she said, “Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck. Those who repeat this prayer with devotion will be, in a special manner, under the protection of the Mother of God. Graces will be abundantly bestowed upon those who have confidence.
The feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous is celebrated on Nov. 27.
8) Our Lady of Lourdes
In 1858, a 14-year-old peasant girl from Lourdes named Bernadette was visited by the Blessed Mother 18 times.
Our Lady instructed Bernadette to dig in the ground and a spring came from it. The water would provide healing properties.
Each year, approximately six million pilgrims visit this holy site.
Our Lady later instructed Bernadette to tell the priests to build a chapel in her honor. Though they did not believe it initially, four years later, they decided to do so.
The feast day of our Lady of Lourdes is celebrated on Feb. 11.
9) Our Lady of Sorrows
This devotion commemorates the intimate union of the hearts of Our Lord and His Mother.
Though we often portray Mary as peaceful and happy, we know that as a result of being the mother of our Savior who would face death for the sins of the world, She experienced the heaviest burden of sorrow.
We are called to reflect on the seven sorrows, or “Dolors,” of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is Sept. 15.
10) Our Lady of Mount Carmel
This title was given to the Blessed Mother in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order and is popularly affiliated with the Brown Scapular or Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
“The wearing of the Scapular fosters a true devotion to Mary based on Her supernatural mission in the redemption of mankind," Father Christian P. Ceroke stated in this EWTN article.
"Two Marian doctrines are proposed in the devotion of the Brown Scapular: Mary’s Spiritual Maternity and Her Meditation of Grace.”
The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is celebrated on July 16.