Maria Auxilium Christianorum

Don Bosco’s great devotion, and a title won in battle.

The title goes back to the sixteenth century and was fixed in the calendar by Pius VII in gratitude for his release from Napoleon’s captivity. St. John Bosco made it the centre of his work with poor boys in Turin and built a basilica under it.

The Prayer

Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.

If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers, forget me?

Grant then to me, I implore you, your perpetual help
in all my necessities,
in every sorrow and especially in all my temptations.

I ask for your unceasing help for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.

Grant through your intercession many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth
we may love and eternally thank you in heaven. Amen.

Don Bosco’s Invocation

Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.

About This Devotion

Her feast is 24 May. Don Bosco’s line to his boys was blunt and characteristic: in times of danger, run to Mary, and say it often — Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us. He is supposed to have said that anything could be obtained through that short invocation and a Hail Mary said well.