Family members lost...and found

On the Feast of Mary's birthday, I added the following prayer for family intentions:

MEMORARE, O piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro, ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Well, one of my petitions has just received an unexpected response: recently published, beautiful images of long lost family members. They all look happy and healthy; they are truly blessed to have each other's love and support. Deo gratias.

Today is the Feast of the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Time for redoubling prayers of thanks to our gentle Queen and Mother: Mary, Maris Stella!

PS: The earliest known prayer to our Lady is found first in a Greek Papyrus from around the year 200. The words are contained in the Memorare prayer above. For more, please see Liturgical Notes blogspot.

Historical note

In 1683, the Turks set their sights on Christian Austria, setting out through Hungary with an army of approximately 300,000 men. The Grand Vizier Kara Mustapha had reached Vienna in July and laid siege to the city, which was being defended by only 15,000 men. The Polish king, Jan Sobieski, set out for Vienna in August, his forces marching behind the banner of the Blessed Virgin. Passing by the Sanctuary of Mary in Czestochowa, they implored Our Lady's help and blessing.

Battle was engaged before the walls of Vienna on September 12, 1683. One of the largest cavalry charges in history saw Sobieski, at the head of 20,000 Polish and German knights, storm the enemy camp. The Turkish forces were routed, Vienna was saved, and Sobieski sent the 'Standard of the Prophet' to Pope Innocent XI along with the good news. In a letter to the Pontiff, Sobieski summed up his victory in these words: Veni, vidi, Deus vicit: 'I came, I saw, God conquered!' To commemorate this glorious victory, and render thanksgiving to God and honour to Our Lady, Pope Innocent XI extended 'The Feast of the Holy Name of Mary' to the Universal Church.