Nuestra Señora de la Soledad is one of the titles or advocations of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of Christ. The word soledad or solitude refers to Mary in the act of contemplating the death of her son, Jesus. It is both a physical and psychological solitude for only a mother can know the pain of the death of her child. In this way, she is truly isolated from those around her. Under this title, Mary is a model for those who would withdraw from the world to pursue a life of spiritual contemplation.

In sacred art, La Soledad is usually shown dressed like a nun in black and white, hands clasped in prayer, and sometimes contemplating symbols of Christ’s passion. She is patroness of the bereaved, consolation, a happy death, and against loneliness. In New Zealand, the Catholic community celebrates the Feast of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad the 13th of November 2023 which is preceded by the 9 days novena.