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Yesterday, the 24th of May, we celebrated the feast of Mary Help of Christians. It is a great feast for us Salesians. We venerate our Blessed Mother under the title of Mary Help of Christians.
The feast has great significance for me personally, since I was ordained a priest on this day thirty eight years ago. I entrusted my life to Our Blessed Mother on her feast day and looking back I see how she has and continues to accompany me. And by God-incidence, I write this sitting at my desk at the Salesian National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians.
The Church has traditionally focused on two aspects of Our Lady's help on this feast day. Firstly, the Church focuses in this feast upon the role of Our Lady's intercession in the fight against sin in the life of a believer. Secondly, the Church has focused upon Our Lady as one who assists Christians as a community, through her intercession, in fighting against anti-Christian forces.
It became the patron feast of Australasia, a double of the first class with an octave; after the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, it was designated a Solemnity, to be kept on the first available Sunday on or after 24 May.
It has attained special renown since Don Bosco, founder of the Salesian Congregation, dedicated his foundation to Our Lady, Help of Christians, the mother church of his congregation at Turin on June 9, 1868. The Salesians have carried the devotion to their numerous establishments.
It was established due to the great appreciation of Saint Don Bosco for this Marian title and the development of the Salesian works in many countries since the second half of the 19th century. Although it is commonly associated with the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church has also known the devotion since 1030 in Ukraine, when the country was defended from a barbarian invasion.
Under this title, the Virgin Mary is venerated by many Chinese Catholics, particularly at the Shrine of our Lady of Sheshan. In May 2007, Pope Benedict XVI designated her May 24 feast for the Roman Catholics in China, who face persecution and restriction from the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.
Wishing you a very happy feast!
In Mary Help of Christians,
I remain,
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
Director
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Walking with the Church
What is the Church law on abstaining from meat? Does the OT say anything about abstaining from certain kinds of meat? A. Catholics are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. They are also encouraged to abstain from meat also on the other Fridays of Lent. Apart from these specific occasions the Church insists that self-denial is an obligation for all Christians. 'Whoever wishes to be a follower of mine must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' The Jewish Law about abstaining from certain kinds of meat is laid down in the Book of Leviticus in the Bible. The Communion Sacrifice (often called "peace offering") was widespread. It was a sacred banquet at which the worshipers ate one portion of the animal, the other - the blood and the fatty parts, being the most vital were made over to God and burned on the altar as an offering to God. All the other parts of bodily meat could be eaten.
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 HAPPY FEAST OF
MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
Look to the Star
Call upon Mary!
In danger, in difficulty
or in doubt,
think of Mary,
call upon Mary,
Keep her name on your lips,
Never let it pass
out of your
heart. Following
in her footsteps,
you will not go astray:
praying to her,
you will not
fall into despair:
thinking of her
you will not err.
While she keeps hold
of your hand,
you will not fall ...
you will not grow weary ...
you will have no fear ...
Enjoying her protection,
you will reach the goal.
St. Bernard
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 Laughter the best Medicine
A Touching Story
As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to playat a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country.
As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost on the way and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight.
There were only the grave-diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the menfor being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends.
I played like I've never played before for this homeless man. And as I played Amazing Grace, the workers began to weep.
They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car.
Though my head hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say,
"I never seen nothing like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."
Apparently I'm still lost....it's a man thing.
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Devotion of the Three Hail Marys
The devotion of the THREE HAIL MARYS is a very simple yet most efficacious devotion.
Everyday, recite Three Hail Marys, adding the invocation: "O Mary, My Mother, keep me from mortal sin." Many people recite the Three Hail Marys as part of their morning and night prayers. To practice this devotion in time of danger, stress, special need or temptation, is a sure means to obtain Our Lady's help.
My grateful thanks to Mother Mary for all the graces and blessings received through the recitation of the 3 Hail Marys. Mrs. Bridgette, NY My belated thanks to Mother Mary for a safe delivery of my daughter and for all the other favors received. Cecilia, NY For the countless favors bestowed on me and my family in every instance of our lives. L. Sequeira, Toronto Thank you, dear Mother Mary for the clear reports of my dad. June, MA | |
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In Closing
Dear devotees of Our Lady and Don Bosco,
If you have received a miracle through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, we would like to hear from you. Email us at MaryShrine@aol.com.
Bookstore hours: Monday - Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm, Sundays: 12 - 4 pm
Weekday Masses: 12 noon. Confessions on weekdays begin at 11.30 am.
Sunday Masses: 11 am and 12.30 pm
Other activities: Day Retreats, Weekend retreats, Don Bosco Summer Camp, Eucharistic Adoration, Friday night Lenten Dinners, 50/50 raffle, 350 club, Rosary Madonna Statue. Rent Lomagno Hall, Rent our Banquet Hall.
MEMORIES
Remember a Loved One: Engrave plaques on Wall of Memories, adopt a Tree, Engrave blocks on Walk of Honor, All Souls, All year Candle lighting, Holiday (Christmas and Easter), Flowers, Schedule a Mass, Bell Chimes.
MASS INTENTIONS
To offer a mass intention, please write to
Fr. Jim McKenna SDB
174 Filors Lane,
Stony Point, NY 10980
mckennasdb@yahoo.com.
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Our ministry is only possible with your help.
Visit our website: www.marianshrine.org to donate.
Marian Shrine
174 Filors Lane, Stony Point, NY 10980
www.marianshrine.org
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