Mary Help of Christians

Christians have long called on Mary as their helper. After the victory of the Christian fleet at Lepanto in 1571, which Pope Saint Pius V attributed to the praying of the Rosary, the invocation "Help of Christians, pray for us" became part of the Litany of Loreto. The title took on new meaning in the time of Napoleon, who held Pope Pius VII captive for five years. When the pope returned to Rome in triumph on May 24, 1814, he credited Mary's help and instituted a feast in her honor on that date.

Saint John Bosco made Mary Help of Christians the heart of his work for poor youth in Turin. He built the great Basilica of Mary Help of Christians there, consecrated in 1868, and with Saint Mary Mazzarello founded the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in 1872. Through the Salesians the devotion spread to every continent, especially Latin America.

Salesian schools, parishes and oratories around the world celebrate May 24 with processions, festivals and the blessing of Mary Help of Christians. She is the principal patroness of Australia, where the day is a solemnity, and Pope Benedict XVI made May 24 a World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, honoring Our Lady of Sheshan under this title.