The Most Holy Name of Mary

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Our Lady of Czestochowa

The Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary is a feast day celebrated since 1684.  In that year Pope Innocent XI added it to the Church calendar to commemorate the military victory of 1683, when the Turkish army was vanquished before the gates of Vienna, and Europe was delivered from the Muslim scourge.

After the battle the victorious Polish king, Jan Sobieski, improved on Julius Caesar’s famous boast.  Announced Sobieski, “‘Veni, vedi, Deus vicit.’ (I came, I saw, God conquered).  Before the battle, Sobieski had called on the protection of Our Lady of Czestochowa (see icon to left).

It was the largest cavalry charge in history; the Poles smashed the Ottoman lines and forced the Turks to lift the siege of the city. At the core of the charge were the famed Winged Hussars, who “appeared like angels coming down from heaven” to smash the foe and save Christendom.

See, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vienna
Also, http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3065880/posts

Charge of the Polish winged hussars.

Charge of the Polish winged hussars.

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  • Piter

    The battle was won by the forces of the Holy Roman Empire and
    the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, however with the sole presence of
    the forces of Crown of the Kingdom of Poland (the march of Lithuanian army was delayed, as a result of which they arrived in Vienna after it was relieved. The Viennese garrison was led by Ernst Rüdiger Graf von Starhemberg subordinate of Leopold I Habsburg, Holy Roman Emperor. The overall command was held by the commander of the Polish Crown’s forces, the King of Poland, Jan III Sobieski.

  • Ora et Labora

    I went to a mass in Polish tonight that lasted over two hours with a Benediction. The polish priest sung hymns and litanies to the Blessed Virgin. I don’t speak a word of Polish but what an blessing to attend on this great feast day.