Although she is known by many names...Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church,Queen of Peace, Mother of God, Advocate, Helper, Mediatrix, Our Lady, and Queen of Heaven, people throughout the world and throughout the centuries have sought her help when troubled.

Before he was crucified, he turned to the disciple he loved and said "There is your Mother." Mary IS our mother. She will watch over you and help intercede on your behalf.

Apparitions of Mary have continued to this day. (For more information on apparitions click here.) What is most interesting that throughout the centuries, countries, and cultures Mary is described by each person almost the same. Also, she often asks that a church be built and she asks that the rosary is prayed every day.

One of my favorite stories about St. Bernadette was when she had one of her encounters with the "Lady" as she called the Blessed Virgin. St. Bernadette loved the beautiful rosary that Mary had and she felt that her own black rosary was shabby in comparison. She had brought a classmate with her and she switched rosaries (her classmate had a shiny, glittery rosary) Mary was upset with St. Bernadette and told her "that is NOT your rosary." I guess the lesson here is that you do not have to have a shiny, glittery rosary to pray with Mary! Mary just wishes us to PRAY the rosary!

St. Therese, too, had an encounter with Mary that forever changed the course of her life. When she was a young girl in France, she became quite ill.

Her family was no stranger to suffering. They had just lost their mother from breast cancer. The doctor informed Therese's father that nothing more could be done for her.

Her father arranged for Mass to be said for her healing at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Victories. He also moved into Therese's room a statue of the Blessed Virgin known as Our Lady of the Smile (a favorite of the Martin children who use to shower it with kisses)

On May 13, 1883, Therese recovered. She ascribed her healing to the presence of the statue:"Suddenly, I have never seen anything so attractive. Her face was alive with great kindness and tenderness and she smiled a most ravishing smile.At once all my pain left me and I cried two large tears which slid down silently down my cheeks. Yes! I thought, the virgin has smiled on me. How Blessed I am !"

Her sister Marie was there at the time and much later at the hearings for Therese's beautification, she testified to what had happened saw Therese in ecstasy. I knew at once she was looking at no mere statue but that she saw the Blessed Virgin herself. It lasted about five minutes. I knew she would be cured.'

In 1895 Therese developed tuberculosis in both longs. She suffered terrible hemorrhages and had to be taken from her cell to the infirmary. The statue of Our Lady of the Smile was placed at the foot of her bed.

On 30 September 1897 Therese lay dying when suddenly she raised her head from her pillow and gazed in ecstasy at the statue. After a few minutes she sighed, fell back on to the bed and died. Her sister Marie was with her. Later she reported, "Her stare was held fixed a little above the statue and I saw again that look on her face she first displayed as a child-all love and adoration-when the Blessed Virgin had healed her. It is impossible to describe, except to say it was something heavenly"

Pope John Paul II also has a special affinity with the Virgin Mary. According to Antonio Gaspari, who has written about the Pope, "Once, around 11:30 a.m., we realized that the Holy Father had not left the chapel for his 11 o'clock audiences. We found him in the hall, his hands crossed on his chest, gazing intently at an image of the Madonna on the wall. At that moment, he seemed a little child gazing lovingly at his mother."

Blessed Padre Pio, also, had great affection for the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Padre Pio Foundation of America, he referred to the Blessed Virgin as "My Dear Little Mother", or "My Little Lady." When asked if he saw the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Blessed Monk said, "She comes to me whenever I need her."

Fr. Apostoli also notes that the Rosary is central to Blessed Padre Pio's spirtuality. He calls it his "weapon to do good" and once admitted to praying 35 rosaries in a day.

The book "Padre Pio Teaches Us" reports that one of his spiritual children asked Padre Pio, Father draw up a prayer plan of life for me." He replied, "My child, the holy Rosary."

Another message from Blessed Padre Pio is "Love the Madonna and pray the Rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today."

2 February: Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary: marks the presentation of the boy Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem

25 March: Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: marks the occasion when the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear a son and call him Jesus.

15 August: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Marks the taking up of the Virgin, body and soul, into heaven

The Blessed Virgin directs to all acts that every mother lavishes on her children. She loves us, watches over us, protects us, and intercedes for us.

Remember, O most loving Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we turn to you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother.

To you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, do not despise our petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer us. Amen.