We came, we saw, and God conquered!
Dear Faithful,
On the day we commemorate the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima in May 1917, we present yet another great episode of Catholic heroism and inspiration in the face of tremendous odds, venturing now from the persecuted heroes in Ireland to the proud Catholic kingdom of Poland. While most are familiar with the famous classical quotation of Julius Caesar following his victory at the Battle of Zela in Asia Minor in the first century BC: "I came, I saw, I conquered" ( Veni, vidi, vici ), far too few, even among Catholics, are aware of the echoed quote of king, general and crusader Jan Sobieski of Poland who led the largest cavalry charge in the history of warfare against the jihadists of his day to the great victory at the famous Siege of Vienna in September 1683.
All men, and especially Catholics should be well-versed on our glorious past, in particular this heroism and leadership, both of the king as well as the holy Capuchin monk and inspired adviser to the Holy Roman Emperor, Father Marco d'Aviano. These are the men and deeds which should inspire a new generation of Catholics to seek self-sacrifice in the service of the Faith and the King of kings! To leave the lethargy of comfort, couch and gadgets and rather to sally forth to the daily battle for virtue and victory! Fittingly enough today, the historic victory can be attributed to the intervention of the Queen of Heaven, with Her Holy Rosary once again used as a most powerful spiritual weapon to turn the tide of history! When it became known that no fewer than 300,000 Turks were advancing on the imperial capital, Pope Innocent ordered that rosaries be recited in the religious houses and churches of Rome.
Although Sobieski surely based his own exclamation upon the already famous words of Caesar, note the enormous difference between the pagan's pride and the Catholic king's humility. While not excluding his own role and efforts in the glorious victory, rather than I, I, I . . . it is we, we and ultimately the good God who conquers! In order to familiarize you with this glorious episode in the history of the world and the defense of our holy Faith, please find attached readings as well as a clip of Father d'Aviano's inspired speech before the charge from a movie entitled The Day of the Siege (NB: I have only seen the clip and not the movie, so there is no full recommendation being made here).
Long live the Catholic king, long live Catholic heroes, long live the devoted followers of Christ the King and His Immaculate Mother! May their memories ever inspire generation after generation to the heroic heights of sanctity and may the Queen of Heaven and devotion to Her Holy Rosary, call forth numerous heroes to the battlefield of today.
Yours in Christ the King,
Father McMahon
Read:
Scenes from:
The Day of the Siege (2012)
*This movie in its entirety is not recommended for all audiences.*
