Revised and updated in October 2026.
The Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary on September 12. The memorial invites Catholics to honor the woman whom God chose to be the Mother of his Son and to call upon her name with the trust of children who know they have a mother in heaven.
For many Catholics, September 12 is also associated with the relief of Vienna in 1683. That history gives the memorial a dramatic setting, but the heart of the feast is not military triumph. It is gratitude to God, confidence in Mary’s intercession, and renewed fidelity to Jesus Christ.
What Does the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary Celebrate?
The devotion honors Mary’s name because it belongs to the Mother of Jesus. Every grace attributed to Mary comes from God and leads back to Christ. Catholics do not worship Mary; we honor her as the Mother of God, ask for her prayers, and imitate her faith and obedience.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops identifies September 12 as the Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary. The suggested readings point to Mary’s place in the mystery of salvation: the Son of God was born of a woman, and Mary rejoiced that the Almighty had done great things for her.
To speak Mary’s name prayerfully is therefore to remember the Incarnation. Her dignity is inseparable from Jesus, and authentic Marian devotion always draws the Christian closer to him.
The Battle of Vienna in 1683
In the summer of 1683, an Ottoman army placed Vienna under siege. A coalition of forces from the Holy Roman Empire and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth came to the city’s aid. King John III Sobieski of Poland served as the coalition’s commander in chief during the decisive battle on September 12.
The victory was the work of an allied army rather than of one nation or commander alone. Sobieski nevertheless became its best-known figure, especially because of the great cavalry charge he led toward the end of the battle. The victory ended the siege and became an important turning point in the long conflict between the Ottoman Empire and European powers.
Sobieski’s victory message is traditionally rendered, “We came, we saw, God conquered.” The phrase expresses the humility proper to Christian thanksgiving: courage, preparation, and sacrifice matter, but the final glory belongs to God.
Why Is the Victory Connected with Mary’s Name?
The Christian forces approached the battle with prayer. Sobieski was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Capuchin friar Blessed Marco d’Aviano served as a papal envoy and spiritual support to the allied army. In the years following the relief of Vienna, Pope Innocent XI extended the celebration of the Holy Name of Mary to the universal Church in thanksgiving.
The Church’s remembrance should never become contempt for people of another religion or nationality. Historical events must be described honestly, while Christians remain bound to respect every person’s God-given dignity. The spiritual lesson is not that Catholics should seek earthly enemies. It is that prayer, courage, unity, and reliance upon God are indispensable when faith and human life are threatened.
The same lesson appears in the story of the Battle of Lepanto and the Rosary: Christians facing grave danger turned to prayer and entrusted themselves to God through Mary’s intercession.
Why Do Catholics Honor the Name of Mary Today?
Most Catholics will never stand on a battlefield, but every Christian experiences spiritual conflict. We struggle against sin, discouragement, temptation, fear, and the temptation to answer evil with evil. Saint Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that our deepest struggle is spiritual.
Mary’s name recalls a life of quiet strength. At the Annunciation she trusted God. At Cana she directed the servants to Jesus. At Calvary she remained near her Son. In the Upper Room she prayed with the disciples as they awaited the Holy Spirit. Her courage was rooted not in self-reliance but in faithful surrender.
Calling upon Mary should lead us to do what she did: listen to God, receive Christ, remain faithful in suffering, and pray for the Church. We may ask her intercession for persecuted Christians, victims of war, refugees, civil leaders, and all who are in danger. We should also ask for the conversion of our own hearts, so that Christ’s peace may govern our actions.
You can find additional Catholic litanies and Marian prayers on our website.
Litany of the Holy Name of Mary
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, 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, pray for us.
Mary, our light, pray for us.
Mary, our sister, pray for us.
Mary, flower of Jesse, pray for us.
Mary, issue of kings, pray for us.
Mary, chief work of God, pray for us.
Mary, beloved of God, pray for us.
Mary, Immaculate Virgin, pray for us.
Mary, all fair, pray for us.
Mary, light in darkness, pray for us.
Mary, our sure rest, pray for us.
Mary, house of God, pray for us.
Mary, sanctuary of the Lord, pray for us.
Mary, altar of the Divinity, pray for us.
Mary, Virgin Mother, pray for us.
Mary, embracing your Infant God, pray for us.
Mary, reposing with Eternal Wisdom, pray for us.
Mary, ocean of bitterness, pray for us.
Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us.
Mary, suffering with your only Son, pray for us.
Mary, pierced with a sword of sorrow, pray for us.
Mary, torn with a cruel wound, pray for us.
Mary, sorrowful even unto death, pray for us.
Mary, bereft of all consolation, pray for us.
Mary, submissive to the law of God, pray for us.
Mary, standing by the Cross of Jesus, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady, pray for us.
Mary, Our Queen, pray for us.
Mary, Queen of glory, pray for us.
Mary, glory of the Church Triumphant, pray for us.
Mary, Blessed Queen, pray for us.
Mary, advocate of the Church Militant, pray for us.
Mary, Queen of Mercy, pray for us.
Mary, consoler of the Church Suffering, pray for us.
Mary, exalted above the angels, pray for us.
Mary, crowned with twelve stars, pray for us.
Mary, fair as the moon, pray for us.
Mary, bright as the sun, pray for us.
Mary, distinguished above all, pray for us.
Mary, seated at the right hand of Jesus, pray for us.
Mary, our hope, pray for us.
Mary, our sweetness, pray for us.
Mary, glory of Jerusalem, pray for us.
Mary, joy of Israel, pray for us.
Mary, honor of our people, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Loreto, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Angels, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Dolors, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of La Trappe, pray for us.
Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord Jesus.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus.
Son of Mary, hear us.
Son of Mary, graciously hear us.
V. I will declare your name unto my brethren.
R. I will praise you in the assembly of the faithful.
Closing Prayer
Let us pray.
O Almighty God, who behold your servants earnestly desiring to place themselves under the shadow of the name and protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, grant, we beseech you, 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.
Litany text: Catholic Culture.