Anthony Chiffolo Examines 100 Names Of Mary, Her Stories, Prayers In New Book

“…Over the centuries Christians have bestowed innumerable titles of devotion on Mary—some lists include more than 6,000 titles…. But who was this woman?” This is the question author Anthony F. Chiffolo explores in his latest book, 100 Names of Mary: Stories and Prayers (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2002, ISBN 0-86716-441-7, paper, 232 pages, $12.95).

Perhaps the most popular saint, Mary has come to be known by many names, reflecting her many different qualities. In 100 Names of Mary, Chiffolo seeks to help people examine these different qualities and approach the Blessed Mother in new ways. Each of the hundred names selected provides the story about the title of Mary, a traditional prayer and a new prayer that reflects the particular charisms of the title. Readers also will find an inspiring new litany of Mary, a bibliography, an appendix of helpful Web sites and an index.

In 100 Names, Chiffolo discusses the more common names of Mary, such as Blessed Mother, and Blessed Virgin, but he also explores such titles as Co-redemptrix, Mother of God, Our Lady of Czestochowa, Our Lady of China, Our Lady of Trsat and Our Lady of Aparecida. Chiffolo takes a look at several titles of Mary that stem from her apparitions, which, he admits, “…often raise more questions than they answer.”

About 100 Names of Mary, Jim Langford, author of Happy Are They: Living the Beatitudes in America writes, “This is a wonderful, fresh look at the names, stories and spiritual significance of the Blessed Mother in Catholic thought, devotion and life. Well-researched and clearly presented, it will likely become a classic source for understanding Mary in our time.” Ann Ball, author of Modern Saints: Their Lives and Faces and The Saints' Guide to Joy That Never Fades, said,  “…Anthony Chiffolo has produced a work to complement and enrich any Catholic’s Marian library…. The reader will meet some old favorites… In addition, Chiffolo introduces us to many Madonnas little known here in the U.S.: Our Lady of Gyos, of Sinj, of Tinde, of Marija Bistrica, of Neocaesarea and of Trsat are only a few of the titles whose stories will delight any Catholic devoted to Mary….This book will assist the interested reader to go further in depth with some of the titles, and to learn why Mary is the greatest woman the world has ever known.”

Anthony F. Chiffolo, author of many books, including Padre Pio: In My Own Words and Be Mindful of Us: Prayers to the Saints, is winner of the 2000 Whitney Radio Author of the Year Award for public service contributions in Westchester County and the New York City area. He is managing editor of Fordham University Press.

100 Names of Mary: Stories and Prayers and other resources about the Catholic faith and spiritual figures can be ordered from St. Anthony Messenger Press, 28 W. Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45210. To place an order, phone toll-free 1-800-488-0488; to request a review copy, call John Koize, ext. 130. Visit the St. Anthony Messenger Press Web site: AmericanCatholic.org.

—30—

Permission is granted to reprint this release.