May 24 - Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Feast Day of Our Lady Mary Help of Christians has been celebrated in Australia since 1844 but the history to this day, dates back to the start of the 1800’s at a time when Napoleon Bonaparte had gaoled Pius VI (who also died in gaol). And later, when Pope Pius VII was elected he too was gaoled by Bonaparte, who kept him prisoner at Fontainebleau. (gaoled = kept in confinement)

The Holy Father vowed to God that if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honour of Mary.

The military eventually forced Bonaparte to release the Pope and on 24 May, 1814 Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome.

Twelve months later the Pope decreed that the Feast of Our Lady Mary Help of Christians be kept on 24 May.

For more on this Feast see HERE

It is also significant to note:

Under this title, the Virgin Mary is venerated by many Chinese Catholics, particularly at the Shrine of our Lady of Sheshan. In May 2007, Pope Benedict XVI designated her May 24 feast for the Roman Catholics in China, who face persecution and restriction from the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.

Even before the Feast Day was decreed by Pope Pius VII in the 1800’s, John Chrysostom used the title in a homily of 345, Proclus in 476 and Sebas of Caesarea in 532. After the Patristic period (5th century), other persons used it like Romanos teh Melodist in 518, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Sophronius in 560, John of Damascus in 749 and German of Constantinople in 733.

Devotion to Mary has continued from the early days of the Church. Today, however, devotion to Mary has decreased in many parts of the world. By God’s grace may each of us honor our Mother and offer reparation to her Immaculate Heart for all she has suffered.

Mary Help of Christians, look upon us with the Mercy of Your Son, who forgave us from the Cross. Help us to repent and believe in the Good News! Help us to bring Jesus as you did to a world so very much in need of Him. Jesus we trust in You!

 

[JurisPrudens]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is also significant to note:

Under this title, the Virgin Mary is venerated by many Chinese Catholics, particularly at the Shrine of our Lady of Sheshan. In May 2007, Pope Benedict XVI designated her May 24 feast for the Roman Catholics in China, who face persecution and restriction from the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.

Even before the Feast Day was decreed by Pope Pius VII in the 1800’s, John Chrysostom used the title in a homily of 345, Proclus in 476 and Sebas of Caesarea in 532. After the Patristic period (5th century), other persons used it like Romanos teh Melodist in 518, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Sophronius in 560, John of Damascus in 749 and German of Constantinople in 733.

Devotion to Mary has continued from the early days of the Church. Today, however, devotion to Mary has decreased in many parts of the world. By God’s grace may each of us honor our Mother and offer reparation to her Immaculate Heart for all she has suffered.

Mary Help of Christians, look upon us with the Mercy of Your Son, who forgave us from the Cross. Help us to repent and believe in the Good News! Help us to bring Jesus as you did to a world so very much in need of Him. Jesus we trust in You!

Amen.

 

[MariaChristi]

Amen.

Dear JurisPrudens,

Thanks for your “Amen”. Happy Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians!

 

[goforgoal]

Prayer To Our Lady, Help Of Christians by: St. John Bosco

Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christian,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth we may love and eternally thank you in heaven.

 

[MariaChristi]

Prayer To Our Lady, Help Of Christians by: St. John Bosco

Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christian,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth we may love and eternally thank you in heaven.

Dear goforgoal,

Thanks for the Prayer of St. John Bosco. Yes, he and the Religious Orders he founded have great devotion to Mary under her title, Mary Help of Christians. They also promote this devotion in the schools and missions they operate, along with their lay associates.