Mary, Help Of Christians

 

Today is the feast of Mary, Help of Christians, so a happy feast day to all my friends, readers and viewers in Australia, whose Patroness she is; and to all the members of the Salesian Family who invoke our Holy Mother under that title.

 

St John Bosco, as we know, had a great love for this title of Our Lady, seeing in it not only a comfort for us the disciples of Christ, but also a message: why should we fear when Mary our Mother is our helper?  Don Bosco was a man of joy, and that joy was built on a confidence conferred by his love of God and his trust in Mary, Help of Christians.  Apart from his love and service, and the Salesian Family, Don Bosco's great gift to Mary under this title is the beautiful basilica he had built in  her honour in Turin.  This church is more than a building, it is a song of love to Mary, a celebration and a concrete expression in the world of her majestic and powerful intercession. 

 

And so taking our cue from that: what can we give to Mary as a sign of our love?  What sign can we construct in the world to honour her and to remind the people of our time of their Holy Mother who is always willing to help us and guide us to her Son?

 

Today, let us commend our prayers to our Holy Mother, our Helper and friend, as we wish her a happy feast day.

 

And to all in Australia and all Salesians: feast well and remember us all in prayer.