Our Lady
Mary, Our Patroness
The Madonna — Mother of God, Star of the Sea, and the gentle face that draws us always towards her Son.
The Madonna
The Woman Who Said Yes
Catholics venerate Mary — the Madonna — as the Mother of God: Theotokos, God-bearer. This is not a title Catholics invented; it was defended by the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD as essential to a true understanding of who Jesus is. To honour Mary is to honour her Son.
Mary is not worshipped — worship belongs to God alone. But she is deeply loved, profoundly respected, and constantly sought as an intercessor. A mother's prayers for her children are powerful; how much more so when that mother is the Mother of God himself.
Our parish is named “Madonna Ministry” because we believe that Mary's example — of humble availability to God, of courageous faith, of tender love — is the model for every Christian disciple. Her simple, trusting “yes” to the angel Gabriel remains the most significant human act in the history of salvation.
We ask for her intercession daily. We honour her in the Rosary. We celebrate her feasts with joy. And in every act of devotion to Our Lady, we find ourselves drawn more deeply into the love of Christ.
Icon or image of Our Lady
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Titles of Our Lady
Many Names, One Mother
The Church has honoured Mary with many beautiful titles across the centuries, each revealing a facet of her relationship with God and with us.
Mother of God
Theotokos — Council of Ephesus, 431 AD
Queen of Heaven
Honoured in the Regina Coeli prayer
Star of the Sea
Stella Maris — guide of those lost at sea
Our Lady of Sorrows
She who stood at the Cross of her Son
The Immaculate Conception
Preserved from original sin from her beginning
Seat of Wisdom
She who held Wisdom Incarnate in her arms
Cause of Our Joy
Through her yes, salvation came into the world
Help of Christians
Our powerful intercessor and advocate
Our Lady of the Rosary
She who gave us this prayer of contemplation
Marian Prayers
Praying With Our Lady
These are the prayers Catholics have turned to across the centuries — in joy and in sorrow, in certainty and in doubt. May they draw you closer to Our Lady and, through her, to her Son.
Ave Maria
The Hail Mary
The most beloved of all Marian prayers, the Hail Mary draws its words from the Archangel Gabriel's greeting at the Annunciation (Luke 1:28) and Elizabeth's exclamation at the Visitation (Luke 1:42). Prayed individually and in the Rosary, it is a moment of intimate trust placed in Our Lady's motherly care.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Memorare
The Memorare
Attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and popularised in its current form in the seventeenth century, the Memorare is one of the most confident prayers of intercession in the Catholic tradition. It expresses absolute trust that Our Lady has never left a prayer unanswered.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto 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.
Angelus Domini
The Angelus
Traditionally prayed at 6:00 am, noon, and 6:00 pm, the Angelus commemorates the Annunciation — the moment when the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she had been chosen to be the Mother of God. Its three-fold structure mirrors the Mystery of the Incarnation. During Eastertide, the Angelus is replaced by the Regina Coeli.
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary... Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary... And the Word was made flesh, And dwelt among us. Hail Mary... Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feasts of Our Lady
Celebrating Mary's Place in Our Year
The Church's liturgical calendar is dotted with feasts honouring Our Lady — moments to pause, celebrate, and deepen our love for her.
1 January
Mary, Mother of God
A Holy Day of Obligation. The oldest Marian feast in the Church's calendar.
25 March
The Annunciation of the Lord
Nine months before Christmas — the moment of the Incarnation.
31 May
The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth. A feast of joy and prophetic recognition.
15 August
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
A Holy Day of Obligation. We celebrate Mary being taken body and soul into heaven.
8 September
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The birthday of Our Lady — a feast of gentle joy.
7 October
Our Lady of the Rosary
A feast that recalls Our Lady's gift of the Rosary and God's faithfulness in history.
8 December
The Immaculate Conception
A Holy Day of Obligation. We celebrate Mary being preserved free from original sin from the moment of her conception.
Deepen Your Marian Devotion
Join us for the Rosary before weekday Masses, for Adoration and Benediction on First Fridays, and for special Marian evenings throughout the year.
Adoration & DevotionsCome and Pray
Whether you are a lifelong devotee of Our Lady or are curious to know more, you are welcome at Madonna Ministry. Come and see.