24 May 2011: Solemnity -- Our Lady, Help of Christians

Devotion to Mary under this title dates back to 1624 in Southern Germany. In 1683, Emperor Leopold of Austria was said to have fled to her shrine in Pasau when the Turks invaded his country. There, he beseeched her put an end to the 30 Years War with the aspiration, “Mary, help!” Another story is the Blessed Virgin appeared to St John Bosco in Turin, Italy, where she asked to have a church built to her under this title. (“A Marian Pilgrimage”, p31, Sinag-Tala Publishers, Inc, Manila)

Our Lady of the Way (‘Madonna della Strada’, ‘Santa Maria ng Landas’) -- The first patroness of the Society of Jesus. Her first shrine was a tiny chapel erected in Rome in the 15th century. This was to become the first oratory and, later, the first church of the Jesuit order. (“A Marian Pilgrimage”, p17)

Mary, Help of Christians, cares for us

As Mary cared for her first-born, Jesus, so she cares for each one of us, as her other children, too.

As Mary listened to the teachings of Christ, so she cares for the purity of His doctrine against the attacks of the enemies of truth.

As Mary cared for the infant Church, so she cared and defended the Church throughout the centuries. She protects it now and will continue to protect it until the end of the world.

It is impossible to enumerate the numerous times Mary has come to the aid of her children. Her graces and favors are infinite. The history of the Church gives faithful testimony to Mary’s continual protection and assistance against many heresies through the centuries. She revived faith, reinforced hope, increased prayer, and inspired scholars to wield the pen in defense of the truth.

Naturalism, rationalism, modernism, materialism, and Communism, almost suffocated every religious sentiment, but through Mary’s work all passed and will pass: ‘You have overcome heresy in the whole world!’

Mary protected nations from destruction and saved their Christian faith. Who saved Europe in 1683 from the Turks? The victory of Lepanto was obtained through the recitation of Mary’s Rosary.

‘Mary is the help of individuals’ -- She constantly watches over each one of us; obtains for us graces to avoid falls, to gain strength in tribulations, to overcome the difficulties of life. She aids us in all our necessities.

1) ‘In temporal needs’ -- The Gospel shows Mary’s intervention in these needs. A splendid example is at the marriage feast of Cana. Saints and Founders could tell us how many times Mary provided the material and financial needs of their congregations.

2) ‘Spiritual needs’ -- Mary is even more solicitous about what concerns our eternal salvation. She welcomes sinners and obtains for them the grace of conversion. She protects us in temptations; sustains us in good will. Mary desires our spiritual progress and is anxious for us to receive a greater share of the fruits of the Redemption.

Thus she sustains us in our efforts to attain sanctity. She obtains for us perseverance and will assist us at the hour of our death.

Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p32

The love of Mary

St Anselm states: ‘Mary’s love towards God surpassed the love and sweetness of all other creatures.’ Mary’s love was always constant. Her heart was like the altar upon which a fire burns night and day. Mary did not love God like other Saints with frequent acts of charity: she loved Him with a sole continual act.

Whoever really loves God cannot help but love his neighbor. Mary loved God more than all the Saints, thus immensely more than all the Saints does she love men, and helps them in every need.

St Gregory Nazianzen says that ‘there is no more effective way for us to obtain Mary’s love than by showing charity to our neighbor’.

Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p33

` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` `
Mary, Help of Christians -- “Yes, we are still pilgrims, but our Mother has gone on ahead, where she points to the reward of our efforts. She tells us that we can make it. And, if we are faithful, we will reach home. The Blessed Virgin is not only our model, she is the help of Christians. And as we besiege her with our petitions -- ‘Show that you are our Mother’ -- she cannot help but watch over her children with motherly care.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 177)

Let us offer our Mother: ‘In addition to the mysteries of the day, one more part of the Holy Rosary.’

Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p312

• Gregory XV, in the year 1622, issued a decree forbidding anybody to uphold opinions adverse to the Immaculate Conception. The same decree forbids the use, in the mass or office, of any other term than that of Conception. — Balingham on the Caledar. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com)
• Our Lady Help of Christians, Europe (16th Century). (www.divinewill.org/feastofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html)
• Mary, Help of Christians. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of the Way. Rome. Mary, Help of Christians. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
• Our Lady of the Way. Rome. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
• Our Lady of the Way. Rome 16th century. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)
• Our Lady of “Bon Secours” (Montreal, Canada). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html)