The Church has always suffered persecution. In some historical periods, these persecutions have produced martyrs and confessors; in others, however, they have provided warriors and soldiers of Christ. What will come out of the terrible persecution that Mother Church suffers today? The commemoration of the Most Holy Name of Mary suggests an answer.
Newsroom (September, 13, 2021, 11:50 AM, Gaudium Press) “A Catholic priest was cut to pieces, another was buried alive, and his relatives had their ears and noses cut off.” That is how the Catholic Church was persecuted in and around Germany in the historical period of 1680.
The perpetrators of such crimes could only be barbarians or pagans! No. The murderer was a Protestant count – “Christian,” thus – named . And his hatred for Catholics did not stop there: he became an ally of the Muslims to fight against Christendom.
The emperor of the Holy Empire, Leopold, at times, made attempts to urge Tekeli and the Muslims to live in peace with the Catholics. He even asked Sultan Mohammed IV for an extension of the twenty-year truce, which ended in 1664. But the more he spoke of peace – the more his enemies sought war.
And, there was no other way.
Fighting was the only option
In 1682, the Grand Vizier Kara Mustapha left Constantinople for Belgrade, led by the Protestant Tekeli, from where he invades Hungary with numerous troops of Tartars and Turks. Emperor Leopold needed to defend himself. He had no choice but to assemble an army of thirty-three thousand men, and on May 1, he gave the command to his brother-in-law, Duke Charles of Lorraine. The Grand Vizier marched toward Vienna with two hundred thousand men – approximately six times the Catholic warriors!
Leopold appointed Stahrenberg as governor of the city of Vienna. The city’s fortifications were deplorable: there were no palisades, no ammunition, and no provisions. But Stahrenberg showed that he was up to the challenge. In five days, the city was ready for battle.
The Turkish army began the siege on July 14; they bombarded the city and made assaults for six weeks. But, encouraged by Stahrenberg, the inhabitants of Vienna did not think of surrendering: they preferred to be buried in the ruins of the city!
However, the commander of the imperial troops, Duke Charles of Lorraine, was afraid. He knew they were few and that they would not hold out much longer. So, he expected to get help from the German princes, especially from John Sobieski, King of Poland.
Many difficulties and betrayals came in the way to prevent John Sobieski from coming to the aid of the Catholic troops. It was only through the intervention of Pope Innocent XI – through the nuncio Pallavicini – that the king of Poland was able to help his dearly persecuted brothers.
The Poles complied with the Holy Father’s wishes, and on September 12, 1683, positioned themselves in front of Vienna, in full sight of the Turks. They were joined by the imperial army, commanded by Duke Charles of Lorraine, and the auxiliary troops of the German princes, led by Prince Waldeck. The famous Eugenius of Savoy was one of the commanders of the Imperial Troops; he was only nineteen years old.
The battle that saved Christianity
It was on a Sunday, the Lord’s Day. Sobieski knew that without the help from Heaven, he would not win; so, early in the morning, he attended Mass with Father Aviano. Aware of the importance of the battle, he told his warriors: “Today’s battle will decide not only the liberation of Vienna but the preservation of Poland and the salvation of all Christendom.” And he was right.
At the beginning of the battle, the Duke of Lorraine advanced with the left wing; however, as the center made progress slowly, the clash became full-scale only at 2:00 pm. Full of bravery, the Polish cavalry advanced so far that the Turkish army almost surrounded them. However, the Imperial troops saved them. The Germans managed to penetrate the enemy camp from the left side at six o’clock. By seven o’clock, the Poles were already attacking the enemy from the right side. Soon, they achieved victory.
Affection among brothers
After a strenuous but glorious victory, the generals saluted each other. During the battle, some soldiers were in opposite ranks so, the demonstrations of affection continued even the next day. In the city, the people were eager to at least touch John Sobieski’s cloak, but he humbly refused and claimed the victory to the power of God. So he prostrated himself with his face to the ground in a church and then sang the Te Deum.
A beautiful thing happened when Sobieski met Emperor Leopold: according to an eyewitness, they took off their hats and friendly greeted each other, even embraced cordially. And Leopold’s gratitude did not stop there: a few days later, he sent James, the son of John Sobieski, a valuable sword and a letter, in which he manifested his appreciation for the help he had given in that victory.
The Ill-treatment among the enemies of the Church
When the Grand Vizier, Kara Mustapha, conquered Vienna, he intended to convert Germany – and later Europe – into a second Muslim empire.
Defeated in front of Vienna, he turned against the governor of Bude and had his head cut off. After losing the battle of Parkani to the same Christians and losing the city of Gran (or Strigonia), Kara Mustapha had the heads cut off the Pasha who had surrendered. But soon – on December 25, 1683 – his Muslim “brothers” cut off his head.
Victory belonged to the Virgin Mary
When the news of the triumph became public, outcries of joy and victory rose from Europe, and they celebrated with feasts in gratitude to God. But the climax of the rejoicing came with the institution of the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary by Pope Innocent XI in thanksgiving for the memorable battle of Vienna.
Indeed, it is the Mother of God who defends the Church, helps her in persecutions, and becomes the enemy of its enemies!
By Lucas Rezende
Compiled by Ena Alfaro
