Feast of Mary Help of Christians
As Mother of God's children, Mary has responded by helping Christians throughout the ages. She has done this by coming to the aid of individuals, families, towns, kingdoms and nations. In 1214 she gave the Rosary to Saint Dominic as a weapon to combat the Albigesian heresy which was devastating Southern France. It is very clear to Christians and it is also the Will of God that we have and will continue to have the Help of Mary through the recitation of the Holy Rosary.
In the year 1531 Our Lady appeared in Mexico to an indian named Juan Diego. He was a humble peasant aged 51. As a result of the apparitions, over 10 million indians were converted to Catholicism, the sacrificial killings of babies stopped, and Our Lady left an image which is a reflection of herself imprinted miraculously on the tilma of Juan Diego.
In 1571 the whole of Christendom was saved by Mary Help of Christians when faithful Catholics throughout Europe prayed the Rosary. The great battle of Lepanto occurred on October 7th 1571. For this reason this date has been chosen as the feast of the Holy Rosary. In 1573 Pope Pius V instituted the feast in thanksgiving for the decisive victory of Christianity over Islamism.
In 1809, Napoleon's men entered the Vatican, arrested Pius VII and brought him in chains to Grenoble, and eventually Fontainbleau. His imprisonment lasted five years. The Pope smuggled out orders from prison for the whole of Christendom to pray to Our Lady Help of Christians, and thus the whole of Europe once again became a spiritual battle ground, not of arms against ruthless arms, but of Rosaries against ruthless military might. Soon Napoleon was off the throne and the Pope freed from prison.
After proving her maternal help, throughout the centuries, Our Lady has continued to appear in hundreds of places throughout the world mainly during the 20th century, Lourdes and Fatima being the most famous apparitions. She has brought help from Heaven, and has warned her children to do prayer and penance as a formula for peace. She has stressed that her children must pray the Holy Rosary daily.
MAY 24th - FEAST OF OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
PROPER OF THE MASS
Entrance Antiphon The disciples were constantly at prayer together, with Mary the Mother of Jesus.
Opening Prayer Lord, we have long been the dowry of Mary and the subjects of Peter, Prince of the Apostles. Let us hold to the Catholic faith and remain devoted to the Blessed Virgin and obedient to Peter. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Reading Galations 4:4-7, God sent his Son, born of a woman.
When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject to the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law and to enable us to be adopted as sons. The proof that you are sons is that God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our heads; the Spirit that cries, ”Abba, Father”, and it is this that makes you a son, you are not a slave anymore; and if God has made you son, then he has made you heir. This is the word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
Response Blessed is the Virgin Mary who bore the son of the eternal Father.
1. My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my saviour. (RI.)
2. He looks on his servant in her nothingness; henceforward all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy is his name. (R/.)
3 His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him. He puts forth his arm in strength and
scatters the proud-headed. (RI.)
4. He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly. He fills the starving with good
things, sends the rich away empty. (R/.)
5. He protects Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy, the mercy promised to our fathers, for
Abraham and his sons for ever, (RI.)
Gospel John 19:25-2 7. This is your son. This is your mother
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother and his mothers sister Mary the wife of Clopas, and
Mary of Magdala. Seeing his mother and the disciple he loved standing near her, Jesus said
to his mother, “Woman this is your son.” Then to the disciple he said, “This is your mother.”
And from that moment the disciple made a place for her in his home. This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Prayers of the Faithful The priest introduces the bidding prayers. (Prayers should be offered for)
Our Holy Father,
A just and lasting peace in the world.
The needs of young people,
Protection of Life,
Father Michael J. McGivney,
For all members of the Alliance and their families,
Our Blessed Mother - Hail Mary - Priest says a concluding prayer.
Prayer over the Gifts Lord, accept our gifts so that by the help of Mary’s prayers we may continue in this faith which bears fruit in charity, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Communion Antiphon All generations will call me blessed, because God has looked upon his servant in her lowliness.
Prayer after Communion Lord, grant that this sacrament may strengthen us in Love for Mary our mother and in obedience to Peter, through Christ our Lord Amen.
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