May “the Virgin Mary may defend the faith and the Church in dangers.”

Pope Francis prayed this on the occasion of the liturgical memorial of the Holy Name of Mary, on September 12, 2018, during his General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, while at its conclusion greeting young people, the elderly, the sick and newlyweds.

“All of us Christians are invited to accept in the Name of Mary, the great plan that God had for this sublime creature and, at the same time, the response of love that, as Mother, she gave to her Son Jesus, collaborating unstintingly in His work of salvation.”

“In the history of the world, the fate, the hopes and tears of so many people were interwoven with her Name. Today she unites again in prayer the millions of hearts that render her homage, imploring her intercession, her aid and her help,” he said to the Polish pilgrims.

“May the Virgin Mary defend the Faith and the Church in dangers. On venerating Mary’s Name, we thank her for her presence in the life of the Church and of each one of us,” he said.

The Pontiff also wished, in greetings to Spanish-speaking faithful that the Virgin Mary “may help us to live Sunday’s rest as a privileged time of encounter with the Lord and with others, letting the love of Jesus free us from all our slaveries.”