MARY, OUR MOTHER

Today, May 24, is the 

Feast of Mary Help of Christians

Mother Mary is the help of every individual Christian. When a child is frightened or hurt or in any need it runs to its mother, and mother always helps. When a child cries for help mother rushes to its assistance. That is just what Mary, Help of Christians, does for each one of us. When we are attacked by the enemies of our soul or body, she hurries to our help. Here are some enemies of our soul:

A. One of the greatest enemies of our soul is the world. By the world we mean the spirit of the world, a spirit that entirely forgets and neglects God. The enemy is called "secularism" which means worldliness. This spirit is not one of faith; it is not one of morals. It is a spirit that condemns or ignores sacred things. It is a spirit that permits and approves immorality, bad example, contraception, abortion, etc., etc. These practices are the enemies of the individual soul and Mary is our protection against them.

B. The second enemy of the soul is the flesh. Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve, the spirit has lost control over the flesh. Even St. Paul experienced it: "I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that is in my members. . . . Unhappy man that I am! Who will deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24).

C. The third enemy of the soul is the devil. He was driven out of heaven, because of his pride. Ever since he and his cohorts are trying to drag souls down to hell. The devil is clever. He uses every means to trap us. He makes evil suggestions. He deceives minds and assaults Christian souls. Here again Mary is our help.

St. Dominic receives the Rosary Image via Wikipedia

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. 

Battle of Lepanto Image via Wikipedia

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.

Near the end of the 17th century, Emperor Leopold I of Austria took refuge in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Pasau, when 200,000 Ottoman Turks besieged the capital city of Vienna. Pope Innocent XI united Christendom against the ominous attack of Mohammedanism. A great victory occurred thanks to Mary Help of Christians. On September 8th, Feast of Our Lady's Birthday, plans were drawn for the battle. On September 12, Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Vienna was finally freed through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians. All Europe had joined with the Emperor crying out "Mary, Help!" and praying the Holy rosary.

Pope Pius VII Image via Wikipedia

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. Let us continue to call on Our Lady, Help of Christians, in these sorrowful times, so that her Immaculate Heart will triumph and her Divine Son Jesus, will reign in the hearts of all mankind!

God bless us all+

Deacon John