The Five Beloved Titles of Mary and Their Origins

Introduction

Throughout the centuries, Christians have called the Blessed Virgin Mary by many beautiful titles that express her virtues, her relationship with Christ, and her maternal care for humanity. Each title reflects a different aspect of her role in salvation history and her ongoing intercession for the Church. Here are five of the most cherished titles — Queen of Peace, Queen of Divine Grace, Mother of Our Savior, Stella Maris (Star of the Sea), and Undoer of Knots — along with their origins and meanings.

1. Queen of Peace

The title Queen of Peace honors Mary as the mother of Jesus, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Because she brought the Savior into the world, she is seen as the one who helps bring peace to human hearts and to nations torn by conflict.
The Church began invoking Mary under this title during times of war and upheaval, especially during the late Middle Ages and again during the First World War, when Pope Benedict XV added the invocation “Queen of Peace, pray for us” to the Litany of Loreto (1917).
Mary’s queenship of peace is not only political or social—it is spiritual. She guides believers to the peace that only Christ can give: reconciliation with God and harmony within the soul.

2. Queen of Divine Grace

This title emphasizes Mary’s unique participation in God’s plan of salvation and her role as dispenser of divine grace through her intercession. As the one who first received the fullness of grace at the Annunciation (“Hail, full of grace,” Luke 1:28), she became the channel through which the Redeemer entered the world.
The Church’s devotion to Mary as Queen of Divine Grace developed as theologians reflected on her intimate cooperation with the Holy Spirit. Her intercessory power is seen as maternal: she does not generate grace herself but lovingly distributes the graces Christ won for humanity. This title, too, appears in the Litany of Loreto and became widespread in the 16th century, when Marian theology flourished during the Counter-Reformation.

3. Mother of Our Savior

This title is among the oldest and most theologically central. Mary is called Mother of Our Savior because she gave birth to Jesus Christ, who came to redeem the world from sin. The phrase echoes Luke 1:47—“My spirit rejoices in God my Savior”—and encapsulates the mystery of the Incarnation.
Early Christian writers such as St. Irenaeus and St. Athanasius spoke of Mary as the “New Eve,” whose obedience reversed the disobedience of the first woman. The Church Fathers often paired this title with Theotokos (“God-Bearer”), affirming that the one she bore is both true God and true man, the Redeemer of the world.
Today, this title remains a reminder of Mary’s unique mission in salvation history and her maternal closeness to all who seek the Savior she bore.

4. Stella Maris (Star of the Sea)

Among the most poetic of Marian titles, Stella Maris—Latin for Star of the Sea—dates back to at least the 9th century. It likely arose from a copyist’s error in early Latin manuscripts of Mary’s name (Miriam rendered as Stilla Maris, “drop of the sea,” later transformed to Stella Maris). Yet the title beautifully expresses Mary’s role as a guiding light to those navigating the storms of life.
St. Jerome, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and other medieval writers popularized the image of Mary as the star that leads sailors safely to port—just as she leads Christians safely to Christ. Hymns such as Ave Maris Stella (“Hail, Star of the Sea”) made this image a lasting part of Catholic devotion.
In times of uncertainty, believers look to Mary, Stella Maris, to illuminate the path of faith and to steady their course toward heaven.

5. Mary, Undoer of Knots

This modern yet profoundly spiritual title originated in Germany around the year 1700, inspired by the writings of St. Irenaeus of Lyon, who said that “the knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by Mary’s obedience.” A Baroque painting by Johann Georg Schmidtner in Augsburg depicts Mary patiently untying knots in a long white ribbon—symbolizing the difficulties and sins that entangle human lives.
Although the devotion was little known for centuries, it gained worldwide popularity in the 20th century after Pope Francis encountered it while studying in Germany. He later encouraged the devotion in Argentina, where it spread rapidly.
The title captures Mary’s compassionate role as a spiritual mother who helps untangle the knots of sin, confusion, and suffering, leading souls back to freedom in Christ.

Conclusion

From ancient poetry to modern devotions, every Marian title reveals a truth about God’s love at work in her. Whether as Queen of Peace calming the world’s storms, Queen of Divine Grace interceding for mercy, Mother of Our Savior bringing forth redemption, Stella Maris guiding the faithful, or Undoer of Knots healing the wounded heart, Mary continues to lead her children toward her Son.
These titles are not mere honorifics—they are windows into her deep maternal care and the boundless grace of God reflected through her life.