| China – A prayer rich in meaning |
| The Salesian Family praying to Mary Help of Christians for China |
“That is how I like the think of the Salesian Family, made up of apostles gathered around Mary, skilled in the Spirit, who teaches us how to wait for Him, welcome Him and allow ourselves to be guided by Him”, writes Fr Chávez, recalling the image of the first Christian community gathered together, waiting for the outpouring of the Spirit.
In the face of pessimism, which can lead to thinking of the times in which we live as ‘difficult’, the Rector Major reminds us of the life and work of Mary, and Don Bosco, in their own historical and social contexts, which contained more than a few obstacles.
Don Bosco teaches us to see Mary Help of Christians as “the anchor of salvation for believers and the source of spiritual life for his boys, and for their educators.” The Rector Major continued: “The Holy Father Benedict, with a happy intuition reminds us of this today as he presents the Virgin Mary Help of Christians as the mother to invoke so that the Church in China may overcome the demanding challenges that it is facing: reconciliation and unity for a divided Community, overcoming the humiliating controls by the government and the concession of true freedom of religion.”
In his ‘Letter to Catholics in the People’s Republic of China’ of 27 May 2007, calling for this day of prayer, the Pope invited us to think of the Marian sanctuary of Sheshan in Shanghai, where Mary Help of Christians is venerated. The Rector Major gives a brief account of the history of the sanctuary where “Devotion to Mary Help of Christians grew, one might say, contemporaneously with the development of the same devotion at Valdocco”.
Before ending his letter, Fr Chávez lists the prayer intentions for the novena in preparation for the feast of Mary Help of Christians, a practice well established in Salesian tradition.
The full text of the Rector Major’s letter is available in the ‘Service’ section of ANS.
Published 12/5/2008
