Today we celebrate the Feast of Mary Help of Christians (May 24).
The tradition of remembering Our Lady under this title goes back to 1571, when the whole of Christendom was saved by Mary Help of Christians when Catholics throughout Europe prayed the Rosary. The great battle of Lepanto occurred on October 7th 1571. For this reason this date has been chosen as the feast of the Holy Rosary. In 1573 Pope Pius V instituted the feast in thanksgiving for the decisive victory of Christianity.
St. Pius V and the Battle of Lepanto
Near the end of the 17th century, Emperor Leopold I of Austria took refuge in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Pasau, when 200,000 Ottoman Turks besieged the capital city of Vienna, but a great victory occurred thanks to Mary Help of Christians: on September 8th, Feast of Our Lady's Birthday, plans were drawn for the battle. On September 12, Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Vienna was finally freed through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians. All Europe had joined with the Emperor crying out "Mary, Help!" and praying the Holy rosary.
The Battle of Vienna – 11 September 1683
In 1809, Napoleon's men entered the Vatican, arrested Pius VII and brought him in chains to Grenoble, and eventually Fontainbleau. His imprisonment lasted five years. The Holy Father vowed to God that , if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honor of Mary. Military reverses forced Napoleon to release the Pope, and on May 24th 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later, the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians, be kept on the 24th of May.
In 1809, Napoleon's men entered the Vatican, arrested Pius VII and brought him in chains to Grenoble
St. John Bosco the founder of the Salesian Order had many prophetic dreams, beginning at age nine, guided his ministry and gave insights on future events. On May 14, 1862, Don Bosco dreamed about the battles the Church would face in the latter days. In his dream, the Pope of those days anchors the 'ship' of the Church between two pillars, one with a statue of Mary (Auxilium Christianorum or 'Help of Christians') and the other with a large Eucharistic Host.
The Prophetic Vision of St. John Bosco: The Two Columns
St. John Bosco wrote about our congregation, the Salesians: "The principal objective is to promote veneration of the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary Help of Christians. This title seems to please the august Queen of Heaven very much." The Salesian Sisters of St John Bosco or Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, are the sister order of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
Mary, Help Of Christians
St. John Bosco, himself, on June 9 1868, dedicated to Our Lady Help of Christians, the mother church of our congregation at Turin (Italy). As Salesians we carry this devotion to our numerous establishments.
Another Order which has big devotion to Mary Help of Christians are the Sisters of Marie Auxiliatrice, present in our parish. We wish them many blessings on this special day!