On September 8, we marked the Feast of the Nativity of Blessed Mary. On Saturday, September 12, the world marks the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Blessed Mary.
The Holy Bible sums up the greatness of Blessed Mary saying, "And the name of the virgin was Mary." (Luke, I, 27)
Mary is a name so lofty, so great and so majestic. It is a name as familiar to us as the name of our mothers, as the sunshine, as the beauty of white snow, and as the beauty of nature.
Mary is the name we mention all the time in our prayers. This is the divine person we seek whether in happiness or in distress. A thousand times we have prayed, sung, and wept… we referred to this name in good and evil days. Mary is the bright dawn heralding the rising sun, Lord Jesus, in the hearts of people everywhere.
Getting close to Blessed Mary reminds us always to God’s infinite goodness. She helps us open our hearts to God’s ways, wherever those may lead us. Blessed Mary, the Queen of Peace, always inspires us to build a peace based on justice, a peace that respects the fundamental human rights of all peoples.
The honored name of the Virgin Mary is said to mean “the Star of the Sea”. She is well compared to a star since the star beams forth its rays without any diminution of its own luster. The Blessed Mary’s name is venerated because She is mother of the Savior, the Queen of Heaven and Earth, as well as the Mother of Mercy.
WHY THE FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF BLESSED MARY? A REAL LIFE EVENT
The year 1683, the Turkish hosts forced their way through Hungary to Vienna, and were besieging that city with an army of 200,000 men. When Pope Innocent XI heard of this terrible danger to all Christendom, he proclaimed a general jubilee, and granted a plenary indulgence to all who would come to the relief of Emperor Leopold I by prayers, money, arms, or service. He entreated the faithful to do penance and reform, and exhorted them particularly to have recourse to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, whose prayers are all-powerful with her Son.
The siege lasted for sixty days, and it seemed impossible to hold the city any longer. But when the need is greatest, the help of God is nearest. John Sobieski, the king of Poland, was hurrying in forced marches to join Duke Charles of Lorraine, who was the commander-in-chief of the allied armies. Although the Turks exceeded in numbers the defending forces, yet the leaders depended upon the prayers of the Blessed Virgin. The Polish king called upon the soldiers to have faith in Mary, and with the cry, "Jesus and Mary”. Confusion came over the Turks and they took to flight in wild disorder. The camp equipment, artillery, and munitions of the enemy, to say nothing of provisions and treasures, were all taken. This grand victory was unanimously ascribed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. In memory of the wonderful event Pope Innocent XI ordered that the feast of the Name of Mary should be kept every year by all Christendom.
