Blessed Virgin Mary Many of you have Mary or some form of Mary in your name. Why? Well, if you were born in 1954, it’s because Pius XII declared it the Marian Year and the call went out to name your child Mary.

If you were born in a different year, at a Catholic hospital, a lot of times those nurse nuns would simply refuse to put another name on the birth certificate. So if you have an Aunt Mary Catherine, that’s probably how she got that name.

Of course we all know Mary is the best name. But Mary, the Mother of God, the one ran to for help, Mary, his mother, has so many names!

Yes, for Jesus she was Mom. But she’s also called Mary, also known as St. Mary the Virgin; the Blessed Virgin Mary; Saint Mary, Mother of God; or simply “the Virgin.” Mary the greatest of all Saints. The Virgin Mother was, after her Son, exalted by divine grace above all angels and men.

Her names include: Mary, Holy Mother of God. Holy Virgin of Virgins. . Queen of Peace. Our Lady of Czestochowa, or The Black . Mother of Perpetual Help. . Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Our Lady of the . Mother of Mercy. Blessed Mother. . . Mother of Divine Grace. Mother of Good Counsel. Virgin Most Merciful. Mirror of Justice. . Mystical Rose. Tower of David. Tower of Ivory. Ark of the Covenant. Gate of Heaven. Morning Star. Conceived Without Original Sin. Comforter of the Afflicted. Queen of Angels. Queen of all Saints. Queen Assumed into Heaven. Queen of the Holy . Undoer of Knots. Star of the Sea. Mother Most Sorrowful. Mother Thrice Admirable. Mother of Perpetual Help. Refuge of Sinners.

The first recorded of Jesus was performed at the wedding in Cana, when Mary (who came as Jesus’ date) noticed the married couple had run out of wine. Mary was there at the Crucifixion, where Jesus asked John to care for his mother. She was also with the disciples in the days before the , and she likely saw her son ascend into Heaven.

No matter what your son accomplishes in life, you can’t beat Mary.

No scriptural reference concerns Mary's last years on earth. Many believe she spent her final years in a small stone house in Western , the biblical land of Asia Minor, where St. John worked, wrote and cared for her. Upon her death, she was assumed into heaven.

In May, some lucky little 8th grade girl at Catholic schools all around the country gets to be the May Queen, and give Mary a crown of flowers.

We love Mary because she represents all mothers. And when we need her the most, we remember the prayer we were taught as children: REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.