Episode Transcript  

One

The Battle of Vienna

In 1571 the Muslim Holy War to destroy Christianity and conquer Europe was stopped at the Battle of Lepanto, due primarily to lots and lots of ordinary people praying the Rosary. I’ll share that story with you on October 7th, on the Feast of Lady of Victory. With that failed sea invasion, the Muslims sought to conquer Europe and Christianity by land. By 1683, the Islamic forces had reached the heart of Europe and laid siege to Vienna. The Habsburg emperor, Leopold I fled Vienna with his army. Less than 15,000 defenders were trapped within the city walls of Vienna, while the Muslim army swelled to more than 150,000. If Vienna fell, nothing would stop the Muslims from sweeping through the rest of Europe.

The small number of fighters left in the city were abandoned by their leaders and surrounded by a much larger force bent on their destruction. It certainly looked like there was no hope. But God and Our Lady never abandon their children. 

Two

King Jan Sobieski and Mary

Blessed Marco d’Aviano, a Franciscan monk and Chaplin to the Christian army in Vienna encouraged everyone trapped in the city to resist by praying the Rosary every day. At first, Pope Innocent XI appealed to Louis XIV King of France to come to the aid of Christianity in Europe. He refused. So the Pope turned to King Jan Sobieski of Poland to come to the aid of Vienna and all European Christianity.

Sobieski led the most feared cavalry in Europe, called the Winged Hussars because they had sown eagle’s feathers to back of their armor and looked like eagles flying as they rode into battle. More importantly, Sobieski was ardently devoted to Mary and the Rosary. When he received word from the Pope, he summoned his cavalry and army, and went straight to Czestochowa, where the miraculous Icon of the Black Madonna is kept. There they consecrated themselves to Mary, then marched more than four hundred miles, to Vienna.

Sobieski ordered his army to pray the Rosary as they journeyed.

Three

God Conquered

Sobieski and his forces arrived outside of Vienna on the evening of September 11th, 1683. This was supposed to be the day Islam launched its final blow to Christianity, but they did not account for Sobieski and the Mother of God. At 4:00 am, on the morning of September 12th, King Jan Sobieski and his forces celebrated Mass and reconsecrated themselves to Mary. Without hesitation they threw themselves into the assault. 

20,000 soldiers on horseback, the famed Winged Hussars swept down the hill like an avalanche, shouting as they rode, “Jesus and Mary, save us!”

And Jesus and Mary did save them, as well as the city of Vienna. By the end of the day, the massive Muslim Army was completely destroyed and those who survived fled in disarray, leaving everything behind in their camps. After the battle, King Jan Sobieski related the events of the victory to Pope Innocent XI, describing to the pontiff exactly what had happened that day. He said, “I came, I saw, and God conquered!”

Upon his return to Poland, Jan Sobieski went immediately to the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa on a pilgrimage of thanksgiving and laying the captured Muslim flag before the miraculous icon of Mary. Once again, the victory came through Mary, the Rosary and the countless faithful who responded to her call. In gratitude the Pope declared September 12th, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary.

And that is why I only drink Sobieski vodka!

Four

The Other King

What about that other king, Louis XIV of France, The Sun King? He boasted of the title, “The Most Christian King.” But Louis XIV had a problem. His great political rival was the Habsburg emperor, Leopold I. And Louis was consumed with strengthening France and weakening the Habsburgs. So when the Ottoman Empire threatened Austria, Louis saw an opportunity. He sent French diplomats to work behind the scenes in Poland to discourage Sobieski from coming to Vienna’s rescue. Louis’ agents offered political inducements and worked among those who wanted Poland to remain out of the war.

Think about that. Here was the man called “The Most Christian King,” yet when a great part of Christian Europe was threatened, his first concern was his own kingdom. What will strengthen France? What will weaken my rival? What will advance my interests?

Sobieski made the opposite choice. He left his own kingdom, marched hundreds of miles and risked his army, his reputation, and his own life because he believed there was something greater than Poland worth defending. And after saving Vienna, Sobieski did something fascinating. He wrote directly to Louis XIV to announce the victory, a victory that Louis’ own diplomacy had tried to prevent by discouraging Sobieski and Poland from coming to Vienna’s aid. And Sobieski deliberately addressed Louis by his formal title: “The Most Christian King.”

The irony is hard to miss. Here was the man who bore the title “Most Christian King,” yet when Christian Europe was threatened, he had put the interests of his own kingdom first. Sobieski had done precisely the opposite. He had left his kingdom, marched hundreds of miles, and risked everything to defend Christendom. So, Sobieski’s use of the title seems pointed, almost as if he were saying, “You bear the title of the Most Christian King. Now live up to it. Put the Kingdom of Christ before your own.”

Louis never answered. Two Catholic kings. Louis had the title. Sobieski lived it. And that brings us to the real question: Which king am I?

Five

Which King Am I?

Louis XIV and Jan Sobieski present us with an examination of conscience: Which king am I?

Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God.” We all have legitimate earthly interests, usually good things, that can consume our time, energy and attention. So ask yourself: What receives the best of mine?

First, am I giving substantial time every day to friendship with Jesus in prayer, allowing Him to establish His Kingdom in me? Then, what about the people I love? We want our children and grandchildren to be healthy, happy and successful, to get a good education, find the right spouse, have a good career and enjoy their lives. And we can become consumed with our own health, comfort, work, routines, hobbies and enjoyment.

None of these things are bad. But they are not the most important things. All of them will pass away. But souls are eternal. Am I investing my time and attention in authentic friendship with the people I love, knowing, understanding, loving and caring for them, with the hope of helping them grow in friendship with Jesus? Don't spend your life building a wonderful earthly kingdom while neglecting the Kingdom we were created for.

For your resolution, choose one person you love and do one concrete thing today to build a deeper friendship with them.

Seek first the Kingdom of God. Which king will you be?

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