2024 Novena to Mary Help of Christians
The worldwide Novena to Mary Help of Christians is set to occur from Wednesday, May 15, to Thursday, May 23, this year. In the upcoming days, videos related to the 2024 Novena will be posted online for everyone to access.
The spiritual theme for this year's novena, given by the Rector Major, is based on the Strenna 2024 theme, "The Dream That Makes You Dream: A Heart That Transforms 'Wolves' into 'Lambs.'" Drawing inspiration from the works of St. Louis de Montfort and the commentary of the Rector Major, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, the novena aims to help everyone uncover "the Secret of Mary" and guide the entire Salesian Family towards holiness.
Each video, lasting around eight to nine minutes, will feature various meaningful segments. These will include a reflection by the Rector Major on the day's theme, stories of dreams from young people of diverse backgrounds and ages who testify to the significance of Don Bosco's Dream today, and a concluding prayer to Mary, using Don Bosco's prayer to the Virgin to ask for her grace.
You can watch the videos, available in five languages, on the Salesian's ANS’ YouTube channel.
Click here to download the booklet for the 2024 Novena of Mary Help of Christians.
Novena to Mary Help of Christians - MAY 15 (1st Day)
Traditional Novena to Mary Help of Christians
To be prayed from the 15th to 23rd of each month
(Repeat each prayer 3 x's)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Blessed and praised every moment be the Most Holy and Divine Sacrament.
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us
Feast of Mary Help of Christians
You are invited to celebrate the Feast of Mary Help of Christians at the Salesian Sisters Provincial House in San Antonio on Friday, May 24th at 7pm. We’ll have a Rosary Procession and May Crowning, followed by a dessert social. You are welcome to bring flowers to offer to Our Blessed Mother.
Salesian Sisters Provincial House: 6019 Buena Vista St., San Antonio, TX 78237
St. John Bosco prophetically dreamt of many battles the Church would have to face, but through the intercession of Our Lady they would be won. To inspire his boys he composed a prayer, found on the reverse side of this card. It was meant to inspire his boys and congregations to confidently entrust themselves to Mary's powerful protection and guidance. He assured them that they would be spared from harm if they wore or carried a medal of Mary Immaculate and entrusted them to Mary Help of Christians with this prayer.
In 1571, the Battle of Lepanto could have turned Europe. to succumb to Islam. All of Europe prayed the Rosary for Mary to help the Christians against the Turkish Empire. The Christians won the battle. In gratitude to Mary, Pope Pius V established the feast of the Holy Rosary on October 7, 1573.
At the end of the 17th century, the Turkish Empire wielded its force on the city of Vienna. Emperor Leopold I of Austria took refuge in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians and prayed that Christianity be spared against the Turks. On the Feast of Our Lady's Birthday, plans were drawn up for the battle. On September 12th, the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary, Vienna was victorious through the intercession of Mary Help of Christians.
Sacrilegiously, Napoleon's men arrested, imprisoned, and exiled Pius VII. The Holy Father vowed to God that if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in Honor of Mary. After five years, Napoleon released the Pope, and on May 24, 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later, the Pope decreed that the Feast of Mary Help of Christians be kept on the 24th of May. To this day, the Salesian world commemorates Mary Help of Christians on the 24th of each month.