May 24
The Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians

Memorial for CPPS and ASC

The liturgical celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians, was instituted in 1814 by Pope Pius VII during a difficult time of the Church and for the end of his exile. St. Gaspar del Bufalo, who also returned to Rome at the same time after four years in exile, wished to have the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians as patron of his Congregation. He consecrated all his ministries to her and directed that her image be exposed for veneration during the missions, and that her feast be celebrated annually in the churches of the Congregation. St. Maria De Mattias also loved this devotion very much, as we read in the Rule of 1838 and in many of the letters addressed to her daughters.

Mass

Liturgy of the Hours

Prayer in  Honor of Mary, Help of Christians

Homily Suggestions

O God,
strengthen us by the intercession of
the Blessed Virgin Mary
whom you have given to your Church
as Mother and Help of Christians.

By her assistance
may we bear patiently with the problems that afflict us
from within and without,
overcome them with love,
and thus speak forth to all people
the mystery of Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Amen.

  1. There are two first readings to choose from. The first, from the book of Revelation, seems most appropriate if the feast fall during the Easter season.  The second option, from Genesis would be appropriate when the feast is after the Easter season, during Ordinary time.
  2. Both choices for the first reading remind us that we, the descendants of either Eve or the woman who gave birth to the Anointed One, may have to face the Evil One from time to time.
  3. But the stories do not end there.  In both stories God is at work. In Genesis, God puts enmity between the serpent and the woman and between their offspring. And God promises that the woman will crush the head of the serpent.
  4. In the passage from Revelation, god has already conquered through the blood of the Lamb.
  5. In spite of whatever power the Evil One may have God's power is always stronger, so we can join Judith in her song of praise (see the responsorial psalm).
  6. The gospel story of the wedding feast at Cana reminds us that Mary sometimes calls upon her Son, whether it is his time or not, and initiates the help that only God can give.
  7. Mary was the unseen helper of the bride and groom who did not even know that there was a problem.  Mary was aware of what was needed and took the initiative. Mary did not change the water into wine. She did not solve the problem, but without her, the wedding feast would have come to an unceremonious end when the wine ran out.
  8. Mary heard the rumor that the wine was running low. We can turn to her, like those who spread the rumor, and expect her to do something about it. She'll help us in our need, because she is the Help of Christians.

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