Witnesses of Mary's Greatness

Throughout the world Mary is celebrated and venerated as the Mother of God and Mother of the Church. Many cultures have their own feast to celebrate Mary. Some have experienced Mary through an apparition. In all of these cultures, key persons have played a role in shaping the celebration and helping others recognize the inspiration that Mary brings to our faith.

Take the quiz below by matching up each name with the person’s description. The answers are below.

Here are the names:

1.This person possessed a rare portrait of the Black Madonna and Child Jesus called Our Lady of Czestochowa. This person reported amazing stories of how this portrait survived vandalism and robbery. The portrait obtained that name because when this person was carting the portrait across Poland toward the person’s home town of Opala, the horses pulling the cart refused to go beyond Czestochowa. Who is this person?__________________________________________________

2. This person lived a simple, devout life in the hills northwest of Mexico City. The person’s given name was Cuauhtlatoa, which means "eagle that speaks,” but we know this person by a different name ever since this person received at least two apparitions from Mary. During one of those apparitions, Mary gave this person roses to take to the local Bishop. When spilled the roses from the person’s mantle in front of the Bishop, the image of Our Lady was imprinted on the mantle. This is the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Who is this person?__________________________________________________

3.These people were saved from death by Mary, when, while they were exiled in the jungle they became hungry to the point of starving and ill to the point of death. In the midst of their prayer, Our Lady of La Vang appeared to them, consoled them and gave them a special sign of her care. She told them to use the ferns growing all around to treat their ailments. It worked, they survived and emerged from the jungle when the danger passed. Who are these people? ______________________________________________

4.This person grew up in a poor family, and as a child was sick a lot, and was therefore a poor student. This person did not receive First Communion until the age of 14. But shortly thereafter, this person was visited by Mary who taught this person about prayer, penance, poverty, and the Church. After this visit from Our Lady of Lourdes, this person died and was made a saint. Miraculously, this person’s body has been preserved. Who is this person?__________________________________________________

5.These people identify with Mary as Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Down through the ages, these people have been sailors, seamen, firefighters, soldiers, and others. They resonate with the picture of Mary holding the child Jesus, and it’s clear that he has run to her for help and comfort. Who are these people? _______________________________________________

6.This person was at the foot of the cross with Mary when Jesus died. This person witnessed Mary being overwhelmed with grief at seeing her son, who is also her God, die an agonizing death. It was here, and with this person, that Mary first became known as Our Lady of Sorrows. Who is this person?__________________________________________________

7.This person recalled that the first Catholic missionaries claimed Malawi, Africa for the Mother of God and they consecrated that land to her. When this person visited Malawi, this person did the same, and entrusted the Church, indeed the whole country of Malawi, to Mary, Our Lady of Africa. This person proclaimed “Jambo Maria: Daughter as well as Mother of your Son. To him be glory for ever. Amen.” Who is this person?__________________________________________________

Answers