The feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary
originated in Spain and was approved in 1513. In 1683, Pope Innocent XI
extended the celebration of the feast day to the universal church, to be
celebrated Sept. 12, four days after the feast of the Birth of the Blessed
Mother. Although removed in 1970 from the universal calendar, Pope John Paul II
reinstituted the celebration as an “optional memorial” in the Roman Missal in
2003.
The name Mary is rooted in ancient Semitic languages: in Hebrew
Myriam and in Aramaic Maryam.
Philological studies suggest that Mary means “lady, beautiful one, or
well-beloved,” or more descriptively, “high, lofty, exalted or august.” These
root meanings reflect well Archangel Gabriel’s greeting: “Hail, Mary, full of
grace (or Rejoice, O highly favored daughter). The Lord is with you. Blessed
are you among women” (Lk 1:28).
Of course the name “Mary,” being the name of the Blessed Mother,
deserves special respect and devotion. St. Louis de Montfort (d. 1716) said,
“The whole world is filled with her glory, and this is especially true of
Christian peoples, who have chosen her as guardian and protectress of kingdoms,
provinces, dioceses, and towns. Many cathedrals are consecrated to God in her
name. There is no church without an altar dedicated to her, no country or
region without at least one of her miraculous images where all kinds of
afflictions are cured and all sorts of benefits received. Many are the
confraternities and associations honoring her as patron; many are the orders under
her name and protection. … There is not a child who does not praise her by
lisping a ‘Hail Mary.’ There is scarcely a sinner, however hardened, who does
not possess some spark of confidence in her. The very devils in hell, while
fearing her, show her respect.”
Finally, the feast date of Sept. 12 also has special
significance. In 1683, the Muslim Turks, under the leadership of Sultan
Mohammed IV, once again began their jihad against Christian Europe. An army of
Muslim Turks numbering 300,000 marched through Hungary, ravaging as they
proceeded.
Moving onward to Austria in July 1683, the Grand Vizier Kara
Mustapha laid siege to Vienna, defended by an army of only 15,000 Christians.
The papal nuncio and Emperor Leopold begged King Jan Sobieski of Poland, who
had earlier defeated the Muslim Turks at their borders and had earned the title
“Unvanquished Northern Lion,” to come to their aid.
Sobieski did not hesitate. In August, as he and his troops passed
the Shrine to Our Lady of Czestochowa, they begged the Blessed Mother’s
blessing and intercession. At the beginning of September, they crossed the
Danube and joined the defenders. Sept. 11, Sobieski, leading an army of about
76,000 men, attacked. The hussars lured the Muslim Turks into thinking they
were on retreat, and then struck with reinforcements. The Muslim Turks
retreated, with Sobieski’s cavalry in pursuit. The vanquished Muslim Turks fled
Austria (but only after slaughtering hundreds of hostages). Vienna and
Christian Europe were saved. Sobieski then delivered the Muslim standard
proclaiming, “Death to the Infidel” to Pope Innocent XI.
Worshiping at a Mass of Thanksgiving, Sobieski fell prostrate and
with outstretched arms declared, “Veni, vidi, Deus vicit,” meaning, “I came, I
saw, God conquered.” Sept. 12, Sobieski triumphantly entered Vienna. Pope
Innocent XI thereupon declared Sept. 12 as a date to honor Mary, whose maternal
intercession had saved Christendom just as it had more than 100 years earlier
at the Battle of Lepanto. As for Kara Mustapha, Mohammed IV had him strangled
for being defeated by the Christians.
Pause for a moment to consider the connection between Sept. 11,
1683, and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Osama bin Laden chose the
date for vengeful reasons.
As we celebrate this feast day, may our Blessed Mother continue
to protect us, especially those Christians suffering under Islamic persecution
this very day.
Fr. Saunders is pastor of Our Lady of Hope Church in
Potomac Falls and episcopal vicar for faith formation and director of the
Office of Catechetics.