Rome (Italy). From 15 to 23 May 2021 the Salesian Family is united in the prayer of the World Novena in preparation for the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, which is celebrated on 24 May 2021.
The Novena, created in collaboration between the Association of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA), the “IME Communication” team of young video-audio and graphics professionals from the Southern Salesian Province, and the Salesian iNfo Agency (ANS), is entitled “Mary most powerful Virgin”, composed by Don Bosco: O Mary, most powerful Virgin, great and illustrious defender of the Church; wonderful help of Christians; formidable as an army in battle array; You alone have overcome every heresy in the whole world; in our anguish, in our combats, in our difficulties, defend us from the enemy and at the hour of our death receive our souls into Paradise. Amen.
Every day, a video will be available with the actualization of a passage from the Gospel, an episode from the life of Don Bosco, the interventions of influencers and international witnesses and a final prayer.
From 14 May, on the Homepage of the FMA Institute Website, there will be a banner with the link to the videos of the Novena, available day by day in different languages. To follow the Novena, is avaiable the booklet with the texts.
The Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians was fixed on 24 May by Pope Pius VII in memory of his return to Rome on 24 May 1814 after his imprisonment under Napoleon in Fontainebleau. Originally the feast was limited to the Church of Rome, but was soon adopted by the Tuscan Dioceses (1816) and then extended to the Universal Church.
The spread of devotion to Mary Help of Christians is attributed to St. John Bosco, who chose her as the main Patroness of the Salesian Family and its works.
