. . . on this happy day, the feast of the
Assumption of the Virgin. Since she has been Our patron and saviour amid so
many great calamities, We ask her assistance in writing to you and her counsels
for the flock of Christ. . . . That all of this may come to pass prosperously
and happily, let Us raise Our eyes and hands to the most holy Virgin Mary, who
alone crushes all heresies, and is Our greatest reliance and the whole reason
for Our hope. (Gregory XVI, Mirari Vos, 3, 24 [August 15, 1832])
.
. . But in order that God may the more readily assent to the prayers and
desires of Ourselves, of you and of all the faithful, let us with all
confidence employ as our advocate with Him the Immaculate and most holy Virgin
Mary, Mother of God, who has slain all heresies throughout the world and who,
the most loving Mother of us all, “is all sweet . . . and full of mercy . . .
shows herself to all as easily entreated; shows herself to all as most
merciful; pities the necessities of all with a most large affection”; and
standing as a Queen as the right hand of her only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus
Christ, in gilded clothing, surrounded with variety, can obtain from Him
whatever she will. (Pius IX, Quanta Cura, 11 [December 8, 1864])
Let us take as our helper and
intercessor the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, so that she, who from the moment of
her conception overcame Satan, may show her power over these evil sects, in
which is revived the contumacious spirit of the demon, together with his
unsubdued perfidy and deceit. Let us beseech Michael, the prince of the
heavenly Angels, who drove out the infernal foe; and Joseph, the spouse of the
most holy Virgin, and heavenly patron of the Catholic Church; and the great
Apostles, Peter and Paul, the fathers and victorious champions of the Christian
faith. By their patronage, and by perseverance in united prayer, we hope that
God will mercifully and opportunely succor the human race, which is
encompassed by so many dangers. (Leo XIII, Humanum Genus, 37 [April
20, 1884])
.
. . those who think it right and useful to pray to the Saints reigning with
Christ, especially to Mary the Mother of God, and to venerate their images
. . . To this all-important end We implore, and We desire that others should
implore, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of divine grace,
Help of Christians, victorious over all heresies, that she may entreat for Us
the speedy coming of that longed-for day, when all men shall hear the voice of
her divine Son, and shall be “careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.” (Pius XI, Mortalium Animos, 11, 17 [January 6,
1928])
