Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Mary, the Mother of God, is known by many titles around the world. Some of these are recognized globally, while others are celebrated only in specific regions. Examples of lesser-known titles include Our Lady of the Bush, Our Lady of the Slain, Our Lady the Helper, and Mother Inviolate.

One traditional title is Ark of the Covenant. In Christian theology, this draws a parallel between Mary carrying Jesus in her womb and the Old Testament Ark carrying sacred items such as the Ten Commandments and manna. In Eastern Christianity, she is called “Theotokos,” meaning “God-bearer.”

Another title is Undoer of Knots. This devotion began with a painting by Johann Georg Schmidtner depicting Mary untying knots, symbolizing resolving difficulties in believers’ lives. The concept traces back to St. Irenaeus in the second century.

Our Lady of Champion refers to an apparition in Champion, Wisconsin—the only Marian apparition officially approved in the United States. According to tradition, Mary appeared several times to Adele Brice and instructed her to teach local children about faith. The shrine dedicated to this title reportedly survived a major fire in 1871 when surrounding land was destroyed. The bishop of Green Bay recognized this apparition in 2010.

Morning Star is another title for Mary that compares her role to Venus appearing before sunrise. Pope John Paul II’s encyclical Redemptoris Mater explains that Mary heralds Christ’s coming much like Venus signals dawn.

Our Lady of Loreto has roots in legend involving angels transporting Mary's house from Nazareth to Italy; this house became associated with both the Annunciation and Mary's conception of Jesus. She is considered patroness for air travelers and specifically for members of the United States Air Force.

The title Cause of Our Joy highlights Mary's importance through her role as mother to Christ and participant in humanity's redemption.

Our Lady of the Pillar references what some believe was Mary's first apparition—while still alive—in 40 A.D., when she appeared to St. James in Spain and left behind a statue on a unique granite pillar now venerated at a shrine.

Recently, on November 4th, the Vatican issued a doctrinal note titled Mater Populi Fidelis (“The Mother of the Faithful People of God”) addressing appropriate titles for Mary. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith stated: “She is the mother who gave the world the author of redemption and grace, who stood firm at the foot of the cross (cf. John 19:25), suffering alongside her son and offering pain from her maternal heart pierced by a sword (cf. Luke 2:35). From Incarnation to cross and Resurrection she was united to Christ uniquely beyond any other believer.” The document encouraged use of expressions emphasizing Mary's motherhood when discussing her titles.