Pope asks for Mary’s interest in overcoming pandemic

By Devin Watkins

In his greeting to the general public on Wednesday, Pope Francis looked forward to the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated on August 15.

The pope greets the Polish-speaking faithful, recalling the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the “Miracle of the Vistula”, which took place 100 years ago.

Overcome the unseen enemy

On August 15, 1920, the Polish army won a decisive victory over Soviet troops at the Battle of Warsaw, which was attributed to the interest of Mary. The day is also marked as Polish Armed Forces Day.

“Perhaps the Mother of God today has helped mankind to defeat the coronavirus,” said Pope Francis, “and with it assured generous blessings for you, your families, and the entire Polish people.”

He also expressed his spiritual support for the hundreds of Catholics who took part in a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa.

“With this pilgrimage, carefully undertaken because of the pandemic, for all to be a moment of reflection, prayer and brotherhood in faith and love,” he prayed.

Manual along pilgrimage route

In his greeting to the English-speaking believers, Pope Francis encouraged everyone to prepare themselves for the feast of the Assumption of Mary.

“May they lead our pilgrimage to the fullness of the promises of Christ,” he said.

The pope told the German-speaking faithful that the impending ceremony “reveals the exalted dignity that God has bestowed upon man.”

“Let us ask the Lord for the grace of the humility of His Servant, so that He may also do great things in us.”

Model of solidarity

Our Lady of the Assumption is also the patroness of France.

Pope Francis prayed that the Mary ‘would be strengthened [the] faith and hope ”of the French people.

“May they always help you resist selfishness, indifference and individualism in order to build a more fraternal society built on solidarity.”