Sub-Saharan Africa, 24 May, 2024 / 11:20 am (ACI Africa).
The tradition of invoking Mary Help of Christians dates back to 1571 when Catholics prayed the Rosary, leading to the salvation of Christendom during the battle of Lepanto. Pope Pius V instituted the feast of the Holy Rosary in 1573 to commemorate this victory.
In the late 17th century, Emperor Leopold I sought refuge at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians during the siege of Vienna by Ottoman Turks. Through her intercession, victory was achieved on September 12, 1683.
In 1814, Pope Pius VII, after his release from imprisonment by Napoleon, decreed May 24th as the feast day of Mary Help of Christians as a gesture of gratitude for his restoration to the Roman See.
St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesian Order, had a deep devotion to Mary Help of Christians. He envisioned the Church's battles symbolized by a ship anchored between two pillars representing Mary and the Eucharist. He dedicated the mother church of his congregation to Mary Help of Christians in 1868. The Salesians and the Salesian Sisters continue to promote devotion to Mary Help of Christians.
St. John Bosco wrote about his 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."
