Our Lady Help of
Christians
This week I would
like to take a look at Our Lady’s many titles which show the various ways she
has either appeared to visionaries throughout the ages, or by which she pleads
for us at the foot of her Son, or under which we honor her. We begin today with
the title given to Mary by Pope Pius VII, “Our Lady Hope of Christians.” According to newadvent.org, Pius VII was ordered
by Napoleon to be held a prisoner, first at Savona, then at Fontainebleau
France, beginning on July 5, 1808. He was set free on March 17, 1814 and
attributed the victory of the Church during these troubled times to Our Lady’s
intercession. He returned home to Rome after the battle of Waterloo on July 7,
1815, and to give thanks to God and Our Lady, he instituted the Feast of Our
Lady Help of Christians to be celebrated on May 24th. Although it is
not on the universal calendar, St. Don Bosco, founder of the Salesian
Congregation, dedicated the mother church of his congregation at Turin, Italy,
to Our Lady Help of Christians, and it has been carried by the Salesian
Congregation to their numerous establishments.
Fr. H. O’Laverty
explains this feast to us in his book, “The Mother of God and Her Glorious
Feasts”:
It is most fortunate for the Church and for each
individual soul that we have an advocate or a helper in all time of sorrow and
trial. The Church calls this advocate the “Help of Christians,” and this helper
and protector is Mary, Our Mother and the Mother of Jesus. This sweetest and
most consoling of all her titles… brings to our mind in an instant what a great
source of grace and consolation she is in time of trial or temptation…. She
[Mary] is the advocate of each soul and the helper in every temptation and the
refuge of all sinners. The poor unfortunate sinner purposely turns away from
God and will not accept His blessings…. The sinner has left the sweet embrace
of Jesus. He has deserted his father’s house and in his terrible plight he
seems hopelessly lost. Oh, what a misfortune it would be for the unfortunate
sinner if he were forgotten by all the court of heaven, but he is not
forgotten. The sweet Mother Mary will never desert the sinner, even till the
very last moment of his life. She is the hope of the hopeless, and she still
clings to the poor sinner and invites him to return to the merciful arms of
Jesus. Oh yes, she is the Star of Hope, and as soon as the sinner gives the
least indication of his desire to return once more, then is his sweet Mother
Mary ready to intercede for him and to bring him to the feet of Jesus…. Some
struggle for a lifetime to overcome temptations and often fall into sin because
they will not go to this sweet Mother and there lay all their cares in her
maternal heart. She will obtain for them grace to overcome all their temptations,
and she will carry them in her arms to the feet of Jesus. Some, after a life of sin, are anxious to
return once more to Jesus, but fear their sinful habits might bring them back
once more to the paths of error where their passions might be too strong for
them. Oh, if these souls would only throw themselves at the feet of Mary, she
would take them in her arms and protect them….(Tan books and publishing, 1987)
We are all the
sinners Father talks about in this passage. Let us never be too proud or
self-centered to ask Mary for help. She will always, always lead us home. We
need only ask.
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.
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/Bosco_prayer.htm#ixzz2SZLelS00
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.
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/Bosco_prayer.htm#ixzz2SZLelS00
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