A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. And so would Mary.

We have our favorite titles for Mary, but we also know that whether she is referred to as Our Lady of Mercy or Queen of Angels, she is one in the same. Mary is the mother of Jesus and our holy mother.

However, each name we do use for Our Lady does have special significance. Mary referred to herself as Our Lady of the Rosary when she appeared to the children in Fatima, Portugal. Her mission was to increase prayer and devotion particularly through the rosary as a path to peace. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal gave us a highly symbolic sacramental to pray with in our most difficult situations. And by remembering Mary as Our Lady of the Americas, we are asking for her blessings on the North and South American continents.

My favorite names for Mary are connected to places. I attended Our Lady of the Angels elementary school and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College for my graduate degree. I took pilgrimages to Fatima, Medjugorje, Knock, and Guadalupe. I hold Mary by these titles very dear.

What is your favorite name for Mary? It may be one noted in the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

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Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Also Known as the Litany of Loretto.)

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary,
pray for us.
Holy Mother of God,
pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins,
pray for us.
Mother of Christ,
pray for us.
Mother of divine grace,
pray for us.
Mother most pure,
pray for us.
Mother most chaste,
pray for us.
Mother inviolate,
pray for us.
Mother undefiled,
pray for us.
Mother most amiable,
pray for us.
Mother most admirable,
pray for us.
Mother of good counsel,
pray for us.
Mother of our Creator,
pray for us.
Mother of our Savior,
pray for us.
Virgin most prudent,
pray for us.
Virgin most venerable,
pray for us.
Virgin most renowned,
pray for us.
Virgin most powerful,
pray for us.
Virgin most merciful,
pray for us.
Virgin most faithful,
pray for us.
Mirror of justice,
pray for us.
Seat of wisdom,
pray for us.
Cause of our joy,
pray for us.
Spiritual vessel,
pray for us.
Vessel of honor,
pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion,
pray for us.
Mystical rose,
pray for us.
Tower of David,
pray for us.
Tower of ivory,
pray for us.
House of gold,
pray for us.
Ark of the Covenant,
pray for us.
Gate of Heaven,
pray for us.
Morning star,
pray for us.
Health of the sick,
pray for us.
Refuge of sinners,
pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted,
pray for us.
Help of Christians,
pray for us.
Queen of angels,
pray for us.
Queen of patriarchs,
pray for us.
Queen of prophets,
pray for us.
Queen of apostles,
pray for us.
Queen of martyrs,
pray for us.
Queen of confessors,
pray for us.
Queen of virgins,
pray for us.
Queen of all saints,
pray for us.
Queen conceived without Original Sin,
pray for us.
Queen assumed into Heaven,
pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
pray for us.

Queen of peace,
pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God,
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O  Lord God, that we Thy Servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enjoy eternal happiness. Through  Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587

(The Rosary Prayer by Prayer is available from Amazon.com and ACTA Publications

Grieving with Mary is available from Amazon.com, and ACTA Publications.

Fatima at 100. Fatima Today is available from ACTA Publications.

For more posts on Mary, see my special Facebook page, Mary and the Rosary.)