Reflection: The Catechism Explained By Stories and Examples
by Fr. Francis Spirago
Tenth Lesson: On The Effects of the Redemption
Question: What is faith?
Answer: Faith is a Divine virtue by which we firmly believe the truths which God has revealed.
Louis IX and the Miraculous Host: The faith of a Christian is a firm conviction. During the reign of Louis IX, king of France, while Mass was being celebrated in one of the churches of Paris, Our Lord appeared in the sacred Host in the form of a little child. The people ran in crowds to the church, actuated by curiosity to behold this marvel. Some one went to the saintly King Louis to inform him of what had taken place. But the king did not leave his room. On being asked why he remained away, he answered: “God works this miracle for the sake of unbelievers, not for the faithful. I do not need to be convinced of the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Had I happened to be present when this miracle took place, I should have closed my eyes, so as not to lose the merit of faith.” Hence it will be seen how steadfastly this holy monarch believed in the truth of all that the Church teaches.
Question: What is Hope?
Answer: Hope is a Divine virtue by which we firmly trust that God will give us eternal life and the means to obtain it.
The Deliverance of Vienna in 1683: When need is highest, God’s help is nighest. In the year 1683 the Turkish army, consisting of 250,000 men, appeared before the walls of Vienna. On the 16th of July the town was surrounded; the siege lasted until the 12th of September. The garrison of the besieged city consisted of only 16,000 fighting men; their commander was the brave Starhemberg. The Turks endeavored to obtain possession of the town by undermining the walls. They constructed subterranean passages in which they placed gunpowder; this, when ignited, blew up large portions of the fortifications with a tremendous noise. Through the breaches thus made the enemy sought to effect an entrance into the town, but they were driven back by the valiant Viennese every time they made the attempt. Yet the number of the defenders gradually diminished and scarcity of provisions began to be felt. On the 11th of September the Turks, who knew that the town could not hold out much longer, attempted to take it by storm. This onslaught was terrific, worse than any previous one; yet this time the enemy was again repulsed. However, another such attack and the town would certainly be taken, and Austria would fall under the sway of the Turk. The distress seemed to have reached its height. But now that the need was greatest, God’s help was nighest. Rockets were continually sent up from the tower of St. Stephen’s cathedral, and these fiery emissaries, seen at a great distance in the darkness of night, proclaimed the sore straits to which the inhabitants were reduced. These were seen by the Christians, for the army of relief was already near at hand, camped on a height overlooking the town. John Sobieski, the king of Poland, no sooner heard that Vienna was in danger of being taken by the Turks, than he hastened with an army of about 25,000 men to raise the siege; his troops were joined by those of Duke Charles of Lorraine and of both the electors of Bavaria and of Saxony. Together they constituted a force of some 90,000 men. Early on the morning of the 12th of September, which was Sunday, a solemn stillness prevailed in the camp of the Christians. A white cross had been set up on the eminence as the common standard of the united army. Mass was said in St. Leopold’s church, the king of Poland acting as server at the altar. All the leaders who were present received holy communion, and the soldiers knelt to receive the blessing of the priest. The king of Poland addressed his warriors, encouraging them in eloquent words to do their duty, relying on the aid of the Mother of God. Meanwhile the roar of the cannon was heard in the valley below, the bursting of the mines resounded from time to time, and the signals of distress within the town were redoubled. At length the order for the attack was given, five gunshots announcing to the besieged that succor was at hand. The Christians marched down the hill, their war-cry being the holy names of Jesus and Mary, and fell upon the Turks with unexampled fury. The battle lasted all day; when evening closed in, the Turks fled in the wildest disorder. A large amount of valuable booty was taken in the enemy’s camp, and the greater part of the Christians who had been taken prisoners were set at liberty. Sobieski entered Vienna in triumph and straightway repaired to the cathedral, to give thanks to the Lord of hosts for the victory he had gained. The town was never again menaced by the Turks. Pope Innocent XI decreed that throughout the whole of Christendom the feast of the holy name of Mary should thenceforth be kept on the Sunday following the 8th of September, the nativity of Our Lady, in thanksgiving for the deliverance of Vienna.
