The Greatest Marian Titles. Their History,
Meaning and UsageAnthony Buono
A most useful book! And for more than one reason!
The Greatest Marian Titles starts out with Mary's Present Mission: a clear
signal that Mary is not a figure of the past but an ongoing, active and rich
presence all through salvation history. Veneration and love, deepening
understanding and religious experience made her the lady of many titles, an
expression of both human and heavenly answer, and a veritable encyclopedia of
Marian treasures.
Anthony Buono sets his gallery of Marian portraits in a historical frame
covering the development of titles from the second to the twentieth
century. Reference is given to the overall foundation of her titles in Biblical
conciliar and traditional sources. Each one of the twenty-four titles follows a
loosely-handled outline highlighting history, meaning, endorsement by the church
and application to the present. Each one of the titles leads from a "sitting
theology" to a "kneeling theology," indeed, the author offers a special prayer
at the end of each one of the presentations. Ordered according to the
alphabetical criteria (Advocate of Grace to Queen of All Hearts) these "most
important and popular titles of Our Lady in our time" fall into a variety of
categories, some biblical (Handmaid of the Lord; Daughter of Zion), some
dogmatic (Immaculate Conception, Mother of God). Some of these titles are from
earlier times (Advocate of Grace), others championed in the recent past (Mother
of the Church). Mystical theology and pastoral concerns are not forgotten. Mary
is not "Seat of Wisdom" and Temple of the Holy Spirit"--pointing out Mary's
relationship to the Trinity; she is "Our Lady of the Rosary" and "Queen of
Families": a beacon of courage in past and present and a protector of the "first
and vital cell of society." She is Mother (Blessed Mother) and Queen (Queen of
All Hearts), linking affection and admiration; close to her son and redeemer
(Associate of the Redeemer) but also close to us (Help of Christians).
Speculative and practical at the same time "Queen of All Hearts" according to
the author represent the "culmination of all Marian titles." There is even the
odd entry of the Exemplar which, in a sense explains all others. The use of
titles responds to the human need for models. A 'singular model', Mary invites
imitation as model of the Church and model of all Christians.
In sum, what we have here is a kaleidoscope where different facets of the same
foundational image reflect an underlying common foundation and meaning. It makes
Buono's book to be a little summa of Mariology which can be read as separate
chapters on each of the titles or as a fresco of the Church's lasting memory of
Mary's person and role in salvation history.
--Johann G. Roten, S.M.
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