The year 1683, the Turkish hosts forced their way through Hungary to Vienna, and were besieging that city with an army of two hundred thousand 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 Christian forces, yet the Christian 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," the Christians fell upon the enemy. 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 by the Christians. 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.
Practice:
Invoke the name of Mary frequently during the day. Say three Hail Marys in reparation for blasphemies uttered against the holy Mother of God. Perform some act of kindness in honor of Our Lady. A Sinners Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
O most excellent, most glorious, most holy and ever inviolate blessed Virgin Mary,- mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, queen of the world and mistress of all creatures! Thou who forsakest no one, despisest no one, who leavest in sadness none who seek help at thy hands with pure and lowly hearts, do not abandon me because of the number and hatefulness of my sins, nor on account of the hardness and uncleanness of my heart; do not refuse me, thy servant, a share in, thy favor and thy love. Hear me, a wretched sinner, who trusts in thy mercy and pity. Help me, O most loving Virgin Mary! in all my perils and needs, and obtain for me from thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of all my sins, the grace of the fear and love of thee, chastity in body, and deliverance from all the dangers which beset both soul and body.
In the last moments of my life be thou my kind, helper and save from eternal darkness, and from evil of every kind my poor soul, and the souls of my parents brothers, sisters, friends, relatives, and benefactors, together with the souls of all the faithful, both living and dead, through the grace of him whom for nine months thou didst bear in thy most holy womb, and whom thou didst place with thy holy hands in the manger, Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be all honor given for endless ages. Amen.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Leo XII., by a decree of the 8. Congr. of Indulgences, Jan. 30, 1828, granted to all the faithful who, with at least contrite heart and devotion, shall say this prayer: An Indulgence Of One Hundred Days, once a day.
Prayer Recommending Oneself to the Blessed Virgin Mary
My queen! my mother! I give myself entirely to thee; and to show my devotion to thee, I consecrate to thee this day my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being, without reserve. Wherefore, good mother, as I am thine own, keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession.
Ejaculation:My queen! my mother! remember I am thine own. Keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession. His Holiness, Pope Pius IX., by a decree of the S. Congr. of Indulgences, Aug 5, 1851, granted to all the faithful who, with fervor and at least contrite heart, shall say, morning and evening, one Hail Mary, together with this prayer and ejaculation, to implore of the blessed Virgin victory over temptations, especially over those against chastity: An Indulgence of One Hundred Days, once a day.
Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we Thy faithful people, who rejoice in the name and protection of the most holy Virgin Mary, may by her loving intercession be delivered from all evils here on earth, and be made worthy to reach eternal glory in the life to come. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Sweet Heart of Mary be my salvation.
An indulgence of 300 days. A plenary indulgence once a month under the usual conditions, if repeated daily (S. C. Ind., Sept. 30,1852).
 
(For private use only.)
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Son of Mary, hear us. Son of Mary, graciously hear us. Heavenly Father, of Whom Mary is the Daughter, Have mercy on us. Eternal Word, of Whom Mary is the Mother, Have mercy on us. Holy Spirit, of Whom Mary is the spouse, Have mercy on us. Divine Trinity, of Whom Mary is the Handmaid, Have mercy on us. Mary, Mother of the Living God, pray for us.** Mary, daughter of the Light Eternal,** Mary, our light,** Mary, our sister,** Mary, flower of Jesse,** Mary, issue of kings,** Mary, chief work of God,** Mary, the beloved of God,** Mary, Immaculate Virgin,** Mary, all fair,** Mary, light in darkness,** Mary, our sure rest,** Mary, house of God,** Mary, sanctuary of the Lord,** Mary, altar of the Divinity,** Mary, Virgin Mother,** Mary, embracing thy Infant God,** Mary, reposing with Eternal Wisdom,** Mary, ocean of bitterness,** Mary, suffering with thine only Son,** Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow,** Mary, torn with a cruel wound,** Mary, sorrowful even to death,** Mary, bereft of all consolation,** Mary, submissive to the law of God,** Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus,** Mary, Our Lady,** Mary, Our Queen,** Mary, Queen of glory ,** Mary, glory of the Church Triumphant,** Mary, Blessed Queen,** Mary, advocate of the Church Militant,** Mary, Queen of Mercy,** Mary, consoler of the Church Suffering,** Mary, exalted above the Angels,** Mary, crowned with twelve stars,** Mary, fair as the moon,** Mary, bright as the sun,** Mary, distinguished above all,** Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus,** Mary, our hope,** Mary, our sweetness,** Mary, glory of Jerusalem,** Mary, joy of Israel,** Mary, honor of our people,** Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception,** Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption,** Mary, Our Lady of Dolors,** Mary, Our Lady of Mercy,** Mary, Our Lady, Star of the sea,** Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary,** Mary, Our Lady of Victory,** Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe,** Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel,** Lamb of God, Who didst rejoice Mary, Spare us, O Lord Jesus. Lamb of God, Who didst afflict Mary, Graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus. Lamb of God, Who didst glorify Mary, Have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus. Son of Mary, hear us. Son of Mary, graciously hear us. V. I will declare thy name unto my brethren. R. I will praise thee in the assembly of the faithful. Let Us Pray: O Almighty God, Who beholdest Thy servants earnestly desirous of placing themselves under the shadow of the name and protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary; vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, that by her charitable intercession, we may be delivered from all evil on earth, and may arrive at everlasting joys in Heaven. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. ________________________________________ The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary from the Liturgical Year, 1903
"'And the Virgin's name was Mary (St. Luke, i. 27).' Let us speak a little about this name, which signifies Star of the sea, and which so well befits the Virgin Mother. Sightly is she likened to a star: for as a star emits its ray without being spoilt, so the Virgin brought forth her Son without receiving any injury; the ray takes nought from the brightness of the star, nor the Son from his Mother's integrity. This is the noble star risen out of Jacob, whose ray illumines the whole world, whose splendour shines in the heavens, penetrates the abyss, and traversing the whole earth, gives warmth rather to souls than to bodies, cherishing virtues, withering vices. Mary, I say, is that bright and incomparable star, whom we need to see raised above this vast sea, and shining by her merits, giving us light by her example.
Sequel of the holy Gospel according to Luke. Ch. i. "O whosoever thou art, that seest thyself, amid the tides of this world, tossed about by storms and tempests rather than walking on the land, turn not thine eyes away from the shining of this star if thou wouldst not be overwhelmed by the hurricane. If squalls of temptations arise, or thou fall upon the rocks of tribulation, look to the star, call upon Mary. If thou art tossed by the waves of pride or ambition, detraction or envy, look to the star, call upon Mary. If anger or avarice or the desires of the flesh dash against the ship of thy soul, turn thine eyes towards Mary. If, troubled by the enormity of thy crimes, ashamed of thy guilty conscience, terrified by dread of the judgment, thou beginnest to sink into the gulf of sadness, or the abyss of despair, think of Mary. In dangers, in anguish, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let her be ever on thy lips, ever in thy heart; and the better to obtain the help of her " prayers, imitate the example of her life. Following her, thou strayest not; invoking her, thou despairest not; thinking of her, thou wanderest not; upheld by her, thou fallest not; shielded by her thou fearest not; guided by her, thou growest not weary; favoured by her, thou reachest the goal. And thus dost thou experience in thyself how good is that saying: 'And the Virgin's name was Mary (Lessons of the 2nd Nocturn of the Feast, ex Bernard. Homil II. superMissus est).'" Thus speaks the devout St. Bernard, in the name of the Church. But his pious explanation does not exhaust the meanings of this blessed name of Mary. St. Peter Chrysologus adds in this same Night Office: "Mary in Hebrew signifies Lady or Sovereign; and truly the authority of her Son, who is the Lord of the world, constituted her Queen, both in fact and in name from her very birth (Petr. Chrys. Sermo cxlii, de Annuntiat. Homily of the 3rd Nocturn)." Our Lady: such is the title which befits her in every way, as that of Our Lord beseems her Son; it is the doctrinal basis of that worship of hyperdulia which belongs to her alone. She is below her Son, whom she adores as we do; but above all God's servants, both Angels and men, inasmuch as she is His Mother. At the Name of Jesus every knee is bent; at the Name of Mary every head is bowed. And although the former is the only Name whereby we may be saved; yet, as the Son can never be separated from His Mother, heaven unites their two Names in its hymns of praise, earth in its confidence, hell in its fear and hatred. It was therefore in the order of Divine Providence that devotion to the most holy Name of Mary should spread simultaneously with the cultus of the adorable Name of Jesus, of which St. Bernadin of Siena was the apostle in the 15th century. In 1513 the Church of Cuenca in Spain was the first to celebrate, with the approbation of the Holy See, a special feast in honour of the Name of Mary; while the Franciscan Order had not yet succeeded in obtaining a Like privilege for the adorable Name of Jesus. The reason of this is that the memory of that sacred Name included in the Feast of the Circumcision, seemed to the prudence of the Pontiffs to suffice. From the same motive we find the Feast of the most holy Name of Mary extended to the universal Church in the year 1683, and that of the most holy Name of Jesus not until 1721. Our Lady justifies her beautiful title by partaking in the warlike exploits of the King of kings her Son. The city of Vienna having been delivered by her from the power of the Crescent, contrary to all hope, the venerable Innocent XI. made this feast the memorial of universal gratitude to the liberatrix of the West. The Name of Mary, which is the joy of Angels and the terror of demons, protects man against countless evils, and supports him on his way to heaven. All the delight of heaven, all the hopes of earth, are centered on the cradle where Mary sleeps, while her heart is watching before God. Wisdom praises her own self: by the blessed daughter of Anne and Joachim, the loving preference shown by that Divine Wisdom from the beginning of the world, is already justified; for ever more it will be her delight to be with the children of men. The chosen vine, the vine of the Peaceful One is before us, announcing, by its fragrant blossom, the divine grape, whose juice, pressed out in the wine-press of the cross, will give fruitfulness to every soul, and will inebriate earth and heaven.
"At that time: the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the Angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the Angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the Angel answering, said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age ; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word."
Prayer:This is the most solemn embassy ever recorded in the history of Angels or of men; it shows us how Mary is what her name signifies, Mistress of the world. The highest interests of the human race, past, present, and to come, of the heavenly hierarchy, and of God Himself, are here at stake; and the transaction is carried on between the Most High and the Virgin of Nazareth alone, as having exclusive right, the One to propose, the other to accept, both to conclude. The Angel is but a messenger; man, too, stands in waiting; Mary enters into a contract with the Creator, in the name of Angels and of men, as in her own name; in the name of the entire world, which she represents, and over which she reigns supreme. Hail, then, to our Queen on her birthday! all hail to Mary! May she herself, in the holy Sacrifice, present our offerings to God for her people.
O Mary, we say to thee with thy faithful client. St. Anselm of Canterbury: By the Name of thy beloved Son, grant us ever to keep the memory of thine own sweetest Name; may it be the delicious food of our souls; may it be with us in danger; may it be with us in anguish; may it be to us the beginning of all joys!
________________________________________ Prayer in Honor of the Name of Mary by St. Alphonsus de Ligouri Ah, Mary, most amiable Mary, with what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what tenderness, is my soul penetrated in only naming, in only thinking of thee! I thank my Lord and God, who, for my good, has given thee a name so sweet and deserving of love, and at the same time so powerful. But, my sovereign Lady, I am not satisfied with only naming thee, I wish to name thee with love: I desire that my love may every hour remind me to call on thee, so that I may be able to exclaim with St. Bonaventure, "O name of the Mother of God, thou art my love." My own dear Mary, O my beloved Jesus, may your most sweet names reign in my heart, and in all hearts. Grant that I may forget all others to remember, and always invoke, your adorable names alone. Ah! Jesus my Redeemer, and my Mother Mary, when the moment of death comes when I must breathe forth my soul and leave this worid, deign, through your merits, to grant that I may then pronounce my last words, and that they may be, "I love thee, O Jesus; I love thee, O Mary; to you do I give my heart and my soul." Amen
________________________________________
O Mary, who, crowned with stars, hast for a footstool under thy feet the moon, and for thy throne the wings of angels ; turn thy eyes upon this valley of sorrows, and listen to the voice of one who puts his
hope and refuge in thee. Thou dost now enjoy the infinite sweetness of Paradise, but in the midst of joy and splendour thou bearest always in thy inmost heart the recollection of what thou didst suffer in this
life. Thou hast tried the needs of this exile, and therefore knowest how bitterly flow the days of those who live in sorrow. Ever in thy remembrance rises up a mount covered with armed men and the dregs of the people; thou hearest ever a voice, so well known by thee, which says to thee: "O Lady, behold, in my place, thy Son." And these thoughts move thee to profound tenderness, and thou dost realize, O blessed one, that on that
mountain and with those words thou wast destined to be the Mother of the living. Without thee what would life be to the unhappy children of Adam. Each one of them has a sorrow which tries him, a grief which overwhelms, a wound which torments. And all have recourse to thee, as to a port
of safety, to a fount of complete refreshment. When the waves lash themselves into fury, the wayfarer turns to thee and prays for calm. To thee has recourse the orphan who, like a flower in the wilderness, lies
exposed to the whirlwind of life. O Mary, Crowned with Stars To thee pray the poor who want their daily bread; and not one of them remains without help and consolation. But if all find in thee aid and refreshment, what shall we say, to whom thou art wont to appear, glorious as thou art in heaven. O Mary, mother of all, enlighten our minds, soften our hearts, so that this most pure love which streams from thy eyes may be poured forth on every side, and produce those marvellous fruits which thy Son prepared for by shedding His Blood, whilst thou didst suffer the most cruel pangs at the foot of the Cross. Amen
(Indulgence 300 days)
My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear Him. He hath shewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy: As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever. ________________________________________ The Magnificat
(Indulgence 100 days)
O Mary, bless this house, where thy name is ever held in benediction. All glory to Mary ever
Immaculate, ever Virgin, blessed among women, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, Queen of Paradise. Amen
________________________________________ Reparation for Blasphemy against Our Lady ________________________________________ Sermon from St. Alphonsus de Ligouri on: The Sweetness of the Name of Mary http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/ |