For It Was Mary Trivia Quiz

Answer: March 25

The feast of Our Lady of the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25. The Roman Catholic doctrines of the Incarnation and Annunciation were proclaimed by Pope Benedict XIV. The prayer, "The Hail Mary" contains both these events. "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus".

Answer: Poland

Since 1362, The Shrine to Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa is located on the mountain top, Jasna Gora, (meaning Bright Mountain) in Czestochowa,Poland. The painting (or icon), is in the monastery and care of the Pauline Fathers. In the shrine there is a painting of Mary, known as "The Black Madonna", so named because of the discoloration that had occurred to the icon over the centuries.

This painting also plays an important part in Polish history and many miracles through the intercession of Mary are credited to her.

Many pilgrimages are made to Jasna Gora. One of the largest treks was on September 8, 1682, when one hundred and forty thousand persons attended a ceremony to commemorate the three hundredth anniversary of the painting of "The Black Madonna" arriving in Czestochowa.

The tradition of pilgrimages has continued. In August of 1957, with a copy of the icon of Mary, a pilgrimage began to carry it to all the churches throughout Poland. During the years 1966 to 1972 the painting of "The Black Madonna" itself was taken under Communist control. With ingenuity, the procession continued with the empty wooden frame of "The Black Madonna" carried as their banner.

Answer: Constantine

The painting of Mary, known as "Our Lady of Vladimir", shows Mary holding the Child Jesus, cradled in her arms with His cheek nestling hers, and His arms caressing her. Revered as an icon, the painting was given to Vladimir, Russia, by the Patriarch of Constantinople in the twelfth century.

This icon is also known as "Our Lady of Tenderness". In 1395, from the Russian city of Vladimir, the painting was brought and placed in the Cathedral of the Assumption in Moscow, Russia. This painting was also carried to the battlefront by the Russians in World War I.

Answer: On a city gate

Vilno, Lithuania, in the sixteenth century, had five fortification gates surrounding it, one of which had a chapel built on it, ordered by the Bishop of Vilno, Wojciech Tabor. The painting, known as "Our Lady of Ostabrama", which means Gate of Dawn, was placed in the chapel as protection from damages and in thanksgiving. Pope Pius X approved November 16 as the feast day of "Our Lady of Ostrabama", who is also known as "The Mother of Mercy".

Answer: Our Lady of Guadalupe

"Our Lady of Guadalupe" is the patroness of Mexico. In Guadalupe, now known as a suburb of Mexico City, Mary, on December 19, 1531, appeared to Juan Diego. In this apparition, Mary requested that a shrine to her be erected in the spot where this vision occurred.

It is recorded that she told Juan Diego that the shrine was to show her love and compassion. Before Mary disappeared, it is said that a picture of herself was imprinted on the inside of Juan Diego's cloak.

Answer: The Moors

According to Portuguese tradition, Mary, "Our Lady of Balsamao", appeared to heal the wounded Christians who had been fighting the Moors. A statue of this vision of Mary is known as "The Divine Nurse". On the statue Mary holds a vase filled with white Balsam flowers. Since 1754, The Marian Fathers have been the caretakers of this statue which is in the Shrine of the Divine Nurse, in Balsamao, Portugal.

Answer: Ireland

The Shrine of "Our Lady of Knock", is in Knock, Ireland. It has been said that Mary, "Our Lady of Knock", appeared at the parish church door in this village. In an apparition, which is said to have occurred on August 21, 1879, the Blessed Mother Mary, with Saint John and Saint Joseph, were seen in a blinding flash of light. Simultaneously an altar with a Lamb and a Cross was also seen. On September 20 1979, the Shrine to "Our Lady of Knock" was visited by Pope John Paul II.

Answer: In a chapel

The Blessed Mother Mary appeared to the young Parisian novice, Catherine Laboure, in the chapel of the Mother-house of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity on November 27, 1830. In this vision, Mary asked that a medal be constructed commemorating the apparition that Catherine saw. One side of the medal shows an image of Mary, "O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee" encircling her. On the reverse side of the medal there is a large "M" topped by a cross with twelve stars surrounding the "M".. Below the "M" there are two flaming hearts, one with a crown of thorns above it, and the other heart pierced by a sword.

In 1836 the Roman Catholic Church accepted the vision and the creation of the medal which it called "The Miraculous Medal".

In 1945, Catherine Laboure was canonized by Pope Pius XII.

Answer: Turin

One of the oldest paintings of "Our Lady of Consolation" is in Turin, Italy, in the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation. This Marian title was given to her because of the devotion of the inhabitants of Turin who prayed to be consoled through Mary's grace.

In 1901, the rector of the shrine, the Reverend Joseph Allmano, of the Consolata Fathers, spread this devotion to Mary by his establishment of the Religious Institute for Mission Work. Through the efforts of this institute, the devotion to Our Lady of Consolation has spread to many countries.

In the United States of America, the feast day of Our Lady of Consolation is August 28.

Answer: Stella Maris

"Stella Maris", which translates to, "Star of the Sea", has devotions to Mary with Masses said on September 25. The Mass is dedicated to her with the petitions of it to protect seafaring persons and to give thanks for their services to the economy. Many coastal communities have churches designated with these two titles of Mary.

In the coastal town of Avalon, New Jersey, the parish church is "Stella Maris". South of Avalon, New Jersey, the parish church of Cape May, is "Star of the Sea" On a personal note, my daughter was married in Stella Maris Church, Avalon, NJ.