Skip to content

Altar of Our Lady

  1. Catholic Online
  2. Catholic Encyclopedia
  3. Encyclopedia Volume
Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes

From the beginning of Christianity special veneration was paid to the Mother of God, which in the language of theology is called hyperdulia , to distinguish the honour rendered to her from that given to the other saints. It is not strange, therefore, that after the main or principal altar, the most prominent is that dedicated in a special manner to the Mother of God ; and to indicate this specific preference, this altar is usually placed in the most prominent position in the church, i.e. at the right (gospel) side of the main altar. In general it signifies any altar of which the Blessed Virgin is the titular.

Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Catholic PDFs - Print - Free Light a Virtual Prayer Candle

Majority of U.S. Catholics Voted for Trump in 2024, New Pew Report Shows

To Lead, They Must First Be Renewed: Pope Leo XIV Calls Bishops to Holiness, Hope, and Celibacy

A Shaky Economic Picture Raises New Questions Amid Ongoing Uncertainty

Daily Catholic

Secret Archives of the Saints, Subscribe Today

Secret Archives of the Saints, Subscribe Today

Saints & Angels

Prayers

Bible

More of Catholic Online

They are waiting for you. Will you answer?

They are waiting for you. Will you answer?

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.