Our Lady Help of Christians - May 24th

 

 Today, is May 24^th, formerly the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians.

At the beginning of the Church, the early Christians were persecuted, and so turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary for help. During the persecutions of the early Church, the custom developed of calling upon the Blessed Virgin, under the title of “Help of Christians”.

In the early 1800’s Pope Pius VII, was driven from Rome, by armed men and held prisoner. The whole Church prayed very hard to God, on his behalf, asking the Blessed Virgin to help. Through Mary’s intercession, the pope was unexpectedly released, and returned to Rome, to his papal throne, on May 24^th, 1814. As a result of his freedom gained by the Blessed Virgin, the pope established a feast in Her honor, called, Our Lady Help of Christians. The feast was to be held every year on May 24^th on the anniversary of his safe return to Rome.

The title, Help of Christians, also became popular due to the dream of St. John Bosco. He saw Our Lady Help of Christians, on one pillar, and the Eucharist on the other pillar. When attacked by its enemies, the ship, which represented the Church, attached itself to the pillar of the Eucharist and the Pillar of Mary, causing its enemies to fall away, and disappear.

All of us are very aware of how the Blessed Virgin Mary helped Pope John Paul II in 1981. When he was shot, the bullet miraculously missed his heart, and the pope himself said, it was Mary, who guided the bullet. And so, Mary helped to save his life.

When we were little children, if we are frightened, or hurt, we would run to our mother for help. When we cried, our mother would rush to our aid, to help us.

This is just what the Blessed Virgin Mary does, when we need something. If we cry, She will rush to our aid. If we are hurt and need help, we know She will help us.

In the Preface of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it states, “You chose the Immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, to be the Mother, and help of Christians.” Therefore, as Mother of the Son, Mary is also our Mother, and help of Christians. She helps Christians, “so that under Her protection, we might be fearless in waging the battle of faith.”

Today, we need Mary’s protection, and Her help in our daily battle as we do the best we can to keep our faith. The world and the devil try to draw us away from our faith. The devil does not want us to pray. He does not want us to go to confession, or to try to be virtuous and holy. But, Mary, as Help of Christians will help us in our needs, and protect us from the devil.

In Mary, as Help of Christians, we are “tranquil in spirit-- in the storms of this world, until we reach the joy of the heavenly city”, our final home.

Today, let us resolve to battle to keep our faith, to trust God, and live as good Christians, calling upon Mary, to help us.

O Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us, who have recourse to thee!