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| Bl. Marco D’Aviano |
Calling upon the Army of heavenly intercessors in this time of persecution of Christians throughout the world
In support of all the Christians who are being persecuted throughout the world, especially in Iraq, let us have recourse to these powerful saints who have confronted the threat of Islamic Fundamentalists in the past.
1. St. Pope Pius V and Catherine of Cardona, Carmelite nun.
The battle of Lepanto, which took place in October 7th, 1571, was decisive for the protection of all Christendom in Europe. The victory which was wrought clearly through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary gave rise to the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary since it was by the recitation of the rosary requested by Pope Pius V, that the invading Moors were miraculously defeated. However, little is it known that Our Lady of Mount Carmel revealed to a hidden Carmelite nun that since the members of the Christian armies were not worthy of winning the battle, she should offer herself as a victim. The nun was Venerable Catalina (Catherine) of Cardona, O.C.D. who had been the governess of Prince Don Juan of Austria, leader of the Christian armies, before she entered Carmel. Venerable Catherine went into a cave to pray and do penance for victory at the Battle of Lepanto of (Revista Carmelitana: VII, 228).
2. Bl. Marco D’Aviano (feast Day August 13th) and Pope Innocence XI.
The victory at the Battle of Vienna in 1683 when again the whole Christendom was threatened by the Ottomans had also a spiritual support. In June 19, 1683, Sister CandidaColomba Falchinetti, wrote to Pope Innocent XI to tell him about a dream she had had in which a beautiful Lady told her to convince the Pope to have 1000 Holy Rosaries prayed by the Carmelite Friars at Our Lady Of Victory Church (Madonna della Vittoria) in Rome, to have victory in this battle. Bl. Marco d'Aviano played a key role as an adviser to Emperor Leopold and as a powerful intercessor. Bl. Marco D’Aviano, was already known as a miracle worker, offered prayers and sacrifices for the army known as the 'Holy League’ and predicted their victory. (Bellina, Marcello, Padre Marco D’Aviano,Tavagnaco, Italy: Edizioni Segno, 2014)
3. St. Antonio Primaldoand the Holy Martyrs of Otranto (Feast Day: August 14th).
Antonio Primaldo and his companion martyrs, also known as the Martyrs of Otranto, were 813 inhabitants of the city of Otranto in southern Italy who were killed on August 14, 1480 by the Ottomans when they refused to convert to Islam. They were beatified in 1771 and were canonized by Pope Francis on 12 May 2013.
4. Saint Camilla Battista da Varano and Bishop Luigi Padovese,
Bishop Luigi Padovese was named Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia in 2004. In 2010, a few months before the Middle East Synod took place in Rome, he was murdered in Iskenderun, Turkey on June 2. His concern for the Christians in the Middle East and the dialogue between religions has been preserved in a letter he sent a few months before his death to the Poor Clare Nuns of Camerino, Italy to entrust to the intercession of Saint Camilla Battista da Varano the Middle East Synod that would take place at the time of her canonization. (Martinelli Paolo, Mons. Luigi Padovese, Unomo di communione, Italy: Editrice Velar, 2011)
The following Litany includes saints and holy persons who have lived or been martyred in the Middle East, have been involved in interreligious dialogue, or who have obtained Muslim conversions.
Litany for Persecuted Christians
Lord, have mercy upon them.
Christ, have mercy upon them.
Lord, have mercy upon them.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
have mercy upon them.
God the Son,
Redeemer of the world,
have mercy upon them.
God the Holy Spirit,
have mercy upon them.
Holy Trinity, one God,
have mercy upon them.
Holy Mary, pray for them.
Holy Mother of God, pray for them.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for them.
Mary, help of Christians, pray for them.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for them.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for them.
Our Lady of Victory, pray for them.
St. Joseph, pray for them.
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for them.
St. Gabriel the Archangel, pray for them.
St. Raphael the Archangel, pray for them.
St. Francis of Assisi, pray for them.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for them.
St. Peter Claver, pray for them.
St. Gemma Galgani, pray for them.
St. Padre Pio, pray for them.
St. Bernard and Companions, you 5 Holy Franciscan Martyrs, pray for them.
St. Antonio Primaldo and Companions, pray for them.
Bl. Marco D’Aviano, pray for them.
Sister Candida Colomba Falchinetti, pray for them.
St. Casilda of Toledo, pray for them.
Bl. Peter the Venerable, pray for them.
Sister Mary de Mandat Grancey, pray for them.
St. John Capistrano, pray for them.
St. Charbel, pray for them.
Bl. Ramon Lull, pray for them.
Bl. Charles de Foulcauld, pray for them.
Bl. Miriam Baouardy, pray for them.
7 Holy Trappist Martyrs of Our Lady of Atlas, pray for them.
St. John XXIII, pray for them.
St. Pius V, pray for them.
Sister Catherine of Cardona, pray for them.
Ven. Maria de Jesus de Agreda, pray for them.
Bishop Luigi Padovese, pray for them.
St. Camilla Battista da Varano, pray for them.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously, hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
In His infinite love and mercy may our Lord Jesus Christ grant heavenly protection and grace to all who are persecuted for the sake of the Christian faith. In Jesus holy Name, Amen +