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The feast of the Holy Name of Mary originated in the early sixteenth century, and was first celebrated on September 15th, the Octave-Day of the Our Lady’s Nativity on September 8th. This would have been the anniversary of the day that Our Lady’s parents, Ss. Joachim and Anne, gave their daughter the name of Mary eight days after her birth, according to the law. The feast was later moved to September 17th, and was still only celebrated locally. On September 12th, in the year of Our Lord 1683, King Jan Sobieski and his famed Polish cavalry of “Winged Hussars”, along with other Imperial forces, placed themselves under the protection of the Blessed Virgin, thundered down the hills near Vienna in the largest cavalry charge in history, and totally routed the Muslim Turks besieging the city. The Polish king proclaimed, “We came, we saw, God conquered”. In thanksgiving for the rescue of Christendom from the Muslim invasion, Pope Bl. Innocent XI extended the feast of the Holy Name of Mary to the entire Church, originally on the Sunday after Our Lady’s Nativity, and later fixed to the anniversary of the victory itself. This feast was removed from the calendar in 1969, but later restored by Pope St. John Paul II.
THE feast of the most holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated by order of the Sovereign Pontiff, Innocent XI., on account of the signal victory gained over the Turks, at Vienna in Austria, through her protection.
At Alexandria, in the time of the emperor Maximinus, the birthday of the holy martyrs Hieronides, Leontius, Serapion, Selesius, Valerian, and Straton, who were drowned in the sea for the confession of the name of Christ.
In Bithynia, St. Autonomus, bishop and martyr, who went to that country from Italy to avoid the persecution of Diocletian. After he had converted many to the faith, he was killed at the altar by the furious Gentiles, whilst celebrating the sacred mysteries, and so became the victim of Christ.
At Merum, in Phrygia, the holy martyrs Macedonius, Theodulus, and Tatian, under Julian the Apostate. After other torments, they joyfully consummated their martyrdom by being laid on burning gridirons by order of the governor Almachius.
At Iconium, in Lycaonia, the holy bishop Curonotus, who received the crown of martyrdom by being beheaded under the governor Perennius.
At Pavia, St. Juventius, bishop, mentioned on the 8th of February. He was sent to that city with St. Cyrus by blessed Hermagoras, disciple of the evangelist St. Mark. They both preached the Gospel of Christ there, and being renowned for great virtues and miracles, illustrated the neighboring cities by divine works. They closed their glorious career in peace, invested with the episcopal dignity.
At Lyons, the decease of St. Sacerdos, bishop.
At Verona, St. Silvinus, bishop.
At Anderlecht, St. Guido, confessor.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.