Mary Help of Christians Celebration - Day 1
Thursday, May 22, 2025
To begin our three-day celebration honoring Mary Help of Christians, the St. Dominic Savio community gathered in a spirit of prayer and unity. We commenced with a reverent Rosary in front of the statue of Mary Help of Christians, lifting our intentions and hearts to our Blessed Mother.
Following the Rosary, participants moved to the youth center for a meaningful and interactive activity. Divided into small groups, each was given various images of Mary and challenged to match them with their corresponding titles and descriptions. This exercise deepened our appreciation for the many ways Mary has been portrayed and honored throughout history.
ADMA-Y then led an engaging presentation on the identity and role of Mary, with a special focus on the title Mary Help of Christians. We reflected on Mary's unique place in salvation history—as the Mother of God incarnate, our protector, and intercessor. She draws us closer to Christ, never away from Him.
Our discussion included Mary’s Fiat—her faithful "yes" to God—which opened the door to our redemption. We explored how we can live out that same spirit of openness and trust in our daily lives.
We also delved into the Church's rich Marian tradition and teachings. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states (CCC 971), “The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.” We reviewed the four Marian Dogmas: her Divine Motherhood, Perpetual Virginity, Immaculate Conception, and Assumption—each one a testimony to her singular role in God’s plan.
A brief overview of the origin of the title Mary Help of Christians highlighted the special devotion of St. John Bosco and the Salesian family. Don Bosco’s prophetic dream of the Two Pillars reminded us of the vital roles of the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin in guiding and protecting the Church, especially in times of trial.
To close the activity, each group created a poster reflecting their personal and collective vision of Mary. The presentations were heartfelt and creative, showcasing the deep connection many of us feel to our Blessed Mother.
We concluded the evening with prayer, grateful for the opportunity to grow in love and understanding of Mary, our spiritual mother.
Let us draw closer to Jesus by learning to love His Mother more deeply. Mary Help of Christians, pray for us!
