Most Holy Name of Mary-The Lifting of the Siege of Vienna, 1683

Three hundred thirty-five years ago today, the jihadist followers of the Religion of Peace were stopped in their westward march of burning, looting, rapine, and conquest at the Gates of Vienna.

The severely outnumbered Christian forces were captained by His Majesty Jan III Sobieski of Poland, with the assistance of Charles, Duke of Lorraine, Hetmans of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and assorted Princes and Magnates of the Holy Roman Empire.

King John III Sobieski blessing the Polish attack
on the Ottomans in Battle of Vienna;
painting by Juliusz Kossak.

After the Battle, King Jan paraphrased Caesar, saying, 'Veni, vidi, Deus vicit'—'I came, I saw, God conquered'.

In thanksgiving for the Victory, His Holiness Pope Innocent XI proclaimed the date of the Battle to be kept perpetually as the Commemoration of the Most Holy Name of Mary, Blessed Mother of God, whose prayers were credited with granting the Victory.

From the Roman Martyrology,

September 12th anno Domini 2018 The 2nd Day of the Moon is commemorated the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the which Commemoration the Supreme Pontiff Innocent XI ordered to be made in thanksgiving for the famous victory gained over the Turks at Vienna, in Austria, under the protection of the same Blessed Virgin, (upon the aforesaid day, in the year 1683.) 

According to legend, two surviving benefits of the Victory are coffee and croissants. The fleeing jihadists left many bags of coffee in their abandoned baggage train, thus introducing the Viennese to their favourite beverage, and the croissant was first baked as a celebration over the Turks whose flag featured the crescent.

Thus, we have King Jan and his victorious armies for the continental breakfast!