Three new Marian titles

Pope Francis has just introduced three new titles to the Litany of Loreto, which many Catholics recite after the Rosary. This Litany was approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587, when he removed all the other litanies that were used in popular devotion, and introduced the Litania Lauretania. Over the years a few other titles were added, most recently by Pope St John Paul, ‘Mother of the Church’ in 1980, and ‘Queen of the Family’ in 1995. The present Pope decided to add three very relevant titles. The first one is Mater Misericordiae, Latin for Mother of Mercy, and it will be inserted after Mother of the Church. The second one is Mater Spei, Latin for Mother of Hope, and will be inserted after Mother of Grace. The third one is Solacium Migrantium, Latin for Refuge of Migrants, to be inserted just after Refuge of Sinners. It was expected that Pope Francis would introduce some form of prayer for the migrants who are searching for any kind of hope for their future. And the other two titles reflect his desire to encourage us to show mercy towards each other, especially the poor, the downtrodden, and the thousands of migrants who risk their lives in crossing perilous seas to search for hope. So, in a way, all three titles reflect his wish to help those suffering injustice and inhumanity.  Today we celebrate another Marian feast, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.