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From Everyday For Life Canada
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| Mary Help of Christians |
As far back back as the year 345, St. John Chrysostom invoked the Blessed Virgin Mary as Mary Help of Christians. St. John Bosco used the same title. Asking for Mary's intercession is one of the oldest prayers in Church history. In 1808, Pope Pius VII instituted her liturgical feast day which falls on May 24.
During the Middle Ages, the title was used to ask for the protection of Europe from those who were not Christian. In 1572 when the Islamic Ottoman Empire attacked Europe, Pope Pius V claimed that the Christian armies had won because of the intercession of Mary Help of Christians. This is no longer talked about today since, like the Battle of Lepanto, it's not politically correct. Notice how the Italian politician Matteo Salvini was strongly criticized by both Church officials and others for invoking Europe's protection Blessed Mother and the saints during a rally in Milan just days ago.
The teaching from the Constitution on the Church describes the Virgin Mary's maternal role this way, "In an utterly singular way she co-operated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the Saviour's work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace…By her maternal charity, Mary cares for the brethren of her Son who still wander through this world in the midst of dangers and difficulties until they are led to the happiness of their heavenly home". (61, 62) Mary is a spirtual Mother that cares and loves for her children.
However, the fact remains that today millions of Christians around the world suffer, are persecuted and even killed because they are Christians. Just consider what is happening to Catholics in China. The nearly 400 that were murdered and over 500 injured during the celebration of Mass on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. This Feast Day is the time to pray for them and all Christians who suffer for the faith. We ask for the intercession of the Blessed Mother as Mary Help of Christians to help our persecuted brothers and sisters in faith. We are called to be a witness for them.
This is the prayer that St. John Bosco wrote to ask our Blessed Mother for help in our times of need:
The teaching from the Constitution on the Church describes the Virgin Mary's maternal role this way, "In an utterly singular way she co-operated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the Saviour's work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace…By her maternal charity, Mary cares for the brethren of her Son who still wander through this world in the midst of dangers and difficulties until they are led to the happiness of their heavenly home". (61, 62) Mary is a spirtual Mother that cares and loves for her children.
However, the fact remains that today millions of Christians around the world suffer, are persecuted and even killed because they are Christians. Just consider what is happening to Catholics in China. The nearly 400 that were murdered and over 500 injured during the celebration of Mass on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. This Feast Day is the time to pray for them and all Christians who suffer for the faith. We ask for the intercession of the Blessed Mother as Mary Help of Christians to help our persecuted brothers and sisters in faith. We are called to be a witness for them.
This is the prayer that St. John Bosco wrote to ask our Blessed Mother for help in our times of need:
Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians,Mary Help of Christians, through your intercession help our suffering and persecuted sisters and brothers around the world.
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.
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