(ANS – Rome) –  The novena in preparation for the Feast of Mary Help of Christians begins tomorrow, 15 May.  For this Year of Faith, Fr Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General of the Salesian Family, suggests a formula for the novena in keeping with the traditional novena recommended by Don Bosco.  A saying of Don Bosco is given for each day of preparation for the Feast on 24 May.

As the Charismatic Identity Charter of the Salesian Family of Don Bosco states: “Devotion to Mary (together with that to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and to the Pope) has been one of the three devotions which marked the spiritual and apostolic life of Don Bosco.” (art. 37). “This special reference to Mary has profoundly marked the charismatic and spiritual identity of the various Groups of the Salesian Family which have come into being during the 20th century” (art. 11).

“Let us as the Salesian Family ask Mary, the Star of Evangelization, to strengthen our commitment to open our hearts to God’s gift and to be witnesses and messengers of the Good News,” says Fr Cameroni.

15 May
In these times it is necessary to preach this message: God wants to glorify Mary Help of Christians with many outstanding favours.
 
16 May
She is called the Help of Christians both aganinst external enemies and those within .... With Mary’s help we can obtain everything.

17 May
We should always say and preach that Mary Help of Christians has obtained and will obtain special graces, even extraordinary and miraculous ones, for those who share in giving a Christian education to young people at risk, through their works, their advice and good example, or simply through prayer.

18 May
Let those who wish for favours from Mary Help of Christians help our missions and they will be sure of obtaining them .

19 May
Mary most holy is the Foundress and will be the support of our works … She wants us to place all our trust in her.

20 May
Mary is our guide, our teacher and our mother.

21 May
Love one another as brothers: love one another, help one another and bear with one another as brothers.  God’s help and that of Mary Help of Christians will not be lacking. Promise me that you will love one another as brothers.

22 May
Recommend warmly devotion to Mary Help of Christians and Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

23 May
Here is what we must do for the Feast of Mary Help of Christians: we must cleanse our hearts with a good confession and offer our hearts to Mary most holy, so that we may always be close to Jesus through frequent fervent communion.

Published 14/05/2013