Our Lady defends the Church in danger, says pope on this feast of her Holy Name

"In the history of the world the fortunes, hopes and tears of many people have intertwined with her name"

Pope Francis noted today’s feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, saying that Our Lady “defends the faith and the Church in danger.”

In his greetings to Polish-speaking and Spanish-speaking pilgrims, as well as the elderly, the youth, and newlyweds, the Holy Father reflected on how this feast is an invitation to grasp “the great project that God had for this supreme creature, and, at the same time, the response of love that, as a Mother, she gave to her Son Jesus, collaborating without reserve in his work of salvation.”

He also reflected how in “the history of the world the fortunes, hopes and tears of many people have intertwined with her name.”

“Even today,” he said, “she unites in prayer the millions of hearts that pay homage to her, implore her intercession, her help and her succour.”

“Let us ask our Mother in Heaven to help us to live the Sunday rest as a privileged time of encounter with the Lord and with others, allowing the love of Jesus to free us from all our slavery,” he said, in reference to the theme of today’s audience address.

“By venerating the name of Mary, we give thanks for her presence in the life of the Church and of each one of us,” Francis said. “By entrusting you to the Mother of God, I bless you from the heart.”