The Feast of Mary Help of Christians

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!

Readings for today’s Mass

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Sixth Sunday of Easter

Reflection

“If you love me you will keep my commandments. I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, that Spirit of truth that (a sinful) world can never receive. But you know him, because he is with you, he is in you.”

Soon we shall celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, we shall remember the manifestation of Christ’s promised Spirit of truth. In the uncertainty of our days may we surrender our lives to the hope that accompanied that promise.

“On that day you will understand that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will be loved by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him.”

For many Pentecost will come after a prolonged period of social isolation, an isolation that has cruelly demonstrated our need to be held in life-giving communion. Through the Holy Spirit, and in the power of Christ’s resurrection, may we find healing in the Father’s love.

(read more…)

Readings for Today’s Mass

Click here to download

Listen to the Fourth Chapter from the Life of Don Bosco (read by Fr Duggan):

Fifth Sunday of Easter

To doubt is human. The most famous doubter in history was Christ’s own apostle, Thomas. We all know the story about Thomas’s doubting the reports of the Resurrection. But the colloquy between Jesus and Thomas after the Last Supper and before the Crucifixion, as recounted in John, Chapter 14, is more instructive for these times.

Jesus begins, “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.”

Jesus explains that He is going ahead of the apostles to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. He assures the apostles, “I will come again, and will take you to myself; that where I am, you also may be.”

Thomas protests that they do not know the way to where Jesus is going. Jesus answers, “I am the way, and the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father but by me.”

Then Jesus doubles down, making His divine identity clear. “If you had known me, you would without doubt have known my Father also; and from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him.”

Lest there still be doubt about His divinity and incarnation, Jesus says, “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again I leave the world, and I go to the Father.”

We are here confronted with the direct, personal testimony of Christ Himself regarding His identity and the eternal joy that will belong to those who believe in Him. It was meant to reassure the apostles in the near term and the faithful down through the ages against the turmoil and persecution that awaited those who believe. “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have overcome the world.”

Do we take Him at His word or not?

(read more…)

Readings for today’s Mass:

Click here to download

Listen to the Third Chapter from the Life of Don Bosco (read by Fr Duggan):

The Feast of St Dominic Savio

Happy Feast of St Dominic Savio!

Did you know that Don Bosco has first met Dominic Savio during pandemic? In 1850s cholera has reached Italy among other countries. Many young people of Don Bosco volunteered to help those in most need during the epidemic. It was around that time John Bosco met Dominic Savio. If you're interested in the story, you can find the full account here.

St Dominic Savio, pray for us!

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Fourth Sunday of Easter

So Jesus spoke to them again: ‘I tell you most solemnly, I am the gate of the sheepfold. All others who have come are thieves and brigands; but the sheep took no notice of them. I am the gate. Anyone who enters through me will be safe: he will go freely in and out and be sure of finding pasture. (John 10:1-10)

We pray for all who care for the sick and dying, the elderly and the vulnerable … may they be encouraged and sustained by your love and the prayer of our communities.

We pray for those who are grieving at this time and for all who suffer from anxiety and depression as a result of our current crisis … may they know the tender embrace of our loving Shepherd who will lead us all into green pastures.

We pray for ourselves and our loved ones as we live another period of rigorous lockdown … that despite the days when we struggle to believe it will ever end we may be blessed with the gifts of joy, hope and love.

Listen to the second chapter of the Life of St John Bosco, recorded by Fr Duggan.

Third Sunday of Easter

God Our Father, each person is precious to You.
You are the Giver of life.
Have mercy on us and protect us at this time,
as the coronavirus threatens health and life.
You are an ever-present Helper in time of trouble.
Watch over those who are suffering,
give strength to those who are aiding the sick
and give courage to all in this time of anxiety.
We ask this of you through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

We pray for Pope Francis … that he remains safe and well in order to continue his ministry of service to the world at this time.

We pray for all who care for the sick and dying, the elderly and the vulnerable … may they be encouraged and sustained by your love and the prayer of our communities.

We pray for those who are grieving at this time and for all who suffer from anxiety and depression as a result of our current crisis … that they may find one who listens deeply to them and offers them the hope of the Resurrection

We pray for ourselves and our loved ones … in these days when many must experience their daily exercise alone may we all sense the close presence of Jesus who always walks with us.

Life of St John Bosco

Since we all have a bit more time on our hands, why not listen to the Life of St John Bosco audiobook? Fr Duggan has kindly offered to read and share it. Every week we will release another chapter.

Don Bosco by Lancelot C. Sheppard

Read by Fr Michael Duggan SDB

Divine Mercy Sunday (2nd Sunday of Easter)

Divine Mercy Sunday is the week after Easter Sunday and a day when God’s immense love is poured out. God’s divine mercy is always available and He’s always willing to forgive the repentant sinner.

Jesus wants us to trust in Him completely, to accept His mercy with a thankful heart, and to exhibit mercy to others. The greater the sinner, the greater the mercy. We sinners only need to ask for his mercy, to repent, and completely trust in Jesus.

“Jesus, my most perfect model, with my eyes fixed on you, I will go through life in your footsteps, adapting nature to grace, according to your most holy will and your light which illuminates my soul.” (more…)

Easter

Happy Easter! Jesus is Lord and He is Risen as He said! Alleluia!

Fr Jim, Fr Brian and the whole Salesian community of St James' would like to wish all our Parishioners and friends a very Happy and Holy Easter. The situation in which we find ourselves makes for a very strange celebration. We miss you all very much and are anxious to get back to normal. We hope you and your families are safe and healthy and are praying and staying close to God as well as you can. We will remember you all in our prayers and especially tonight at our mini Easter Vigil. May God bless you all. Stay safe!

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Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the most important week of the liturgical year: Holy Week. It is during Holy Week that the Church is called to meditate deeply on the mysteries of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the week of our salvation.

For most Catholics, of course, Palm Sunday is also known for having the longest Sunday Gospel reading of the year. The impracticality of reading over 100 verses from the Bible during Mass is striking: what is so important that the Church makes us stand and listen to such a long passage? Nothing less than the reason we are at Mass, and what the Mass itself re-presents for us: the Sacrifice of Calvary. (read more)