Saturday, May 24, 2014

May 24: The Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians

Our Lady, Help of Christians
statue in Cantabria, Spain
Photo by Enrique López-Tamayo Biosca

History

Back in 1571, Christianity was facing a very real threat from the Turks. But Pope Pius V asked everybody to pray the Rosary, and the Turks lost the war in just five hours. More than 100 years later, the Turks tried to attack again, but all the Christians prayed the Rosary and asked Mary for help. Again, the Turks lost. About 100 years after that, Napoleon arrested Pope Pius VII and kept him in prison for five years. Pius VII promised God that when he was returned to the Vatican, he would start a special feast for Mary. He was freed and returned to Rome on May 24, 1814. So, that’st the day he chose for the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians, in honor of Mary’s intercession on these and other occasions.

Activity

Have you ever felt that you just wanted your mom, because she would somehow figure out a way to make things better? That’s what the Church’s mother – Mary – can do for all of us, too. Her prayers are very powerful. Here’s a video to watch of some high school students singing a beautiful prayer to Mary.

Our Lady, Help of Christians, pray for us!

More reading for parents:

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