# A Prayer to Mary from St. John Paul II on the Feast of St. Pius X
*2015-08-21*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Pius X, prays for Pope Francis, and shares a beautiful prayer to Mary composed by St. John Paul II.

## Remembering St. Pius X

Good morning, I’m Bill Young. Today is Friday, August 21, the feast day of St. Pius X (1835‑1914). A historian described him as “a man of God who knew the unhappiness of the world and the hardships of life, and in the greatness of his heart wanted to comfort everyone.” He was a compassionate saint whose example still inspires us.

## Prayer for Pope Francis

We also lift up our current Pope, Pope Francis, asking that he may be guided by the same spirit of compassion that marked St. Pius X. May the Holy Father be blessed in his meetings with the United Nations, Congress, the Senate, and the President, and may he always act for the good of the Church and the world.

## A Prayer to Mary by St. John Paul II

The prayer we share today was written by St. John Paul II. It is addressed to Mary, the Mother of divine love:

“Hail, O Mother, queen of the world. You are the mother of divine love, the mother of Jesus. Source of every grace that perfumes every virtue, the mirror of every purity. You are the joy of our weeping, victory in battle, hope in death. What a sweet taste your name has on our lips, what gentle harmony it brings to our ears, what elegance it gives to our hearts. You are the happiness of those who suffer, the crown of martyrs, the beauty of virgins. Lead us, we who are besieged after exile, to the possession of your Son, Jesus.”

*May Mary’s love guide us to the heart of Christ, especially in times of trial.*