Holy Name of Mary

Today is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, which commemorates the intercession of the Mother of God in the Battle of Vienna (September 11-12, 1683). This battle marked the end of the Ottoman Turk advance into Europe, and the beginning of the Christian recovery of Southeastern Europe. As we celebrate this feast by praying this Litany of the Holy Name of Mary, we should remember in a special way the Christians of the Middle East who are suffering and dying today at the hands of the spiritual heirs of the Ottoman Empire.