This ancient title derives from Greek inscriptions found in the first centuries of Christianity which referred to Mary as Boeteia (the Helper). The earliest record we have of this title was in a homily by St. John Chrysostom in 345.
Devotion to Mary under this title became popular in Europe during the pontificate of Pope Pius V and the wars against the Islamic Ottoman Empire. She was invoked under this name by Christian armies who were summoned by Pius V to defend Europe from an impending invasion by the Empire in 1571. The Pope asked his soldiers to invoke Mary under this title as they prepared for the famous Battle of Lepanto in which the Muslim Turks were miraculously defeated by a much smaller Christian force.
A feast day for Our Lady Help of All Christians was not instituted until the pontificate of Pius VII who prayed for Mary’s intercession under this title while in prison for three years during the reign of Napolean. He was set free in 1814 and his triumphant journey back to Rome was a cause of great celebration throughout Christendom. Along the way, the pontiff visited many shrines of Our Lady where he crowned her images in thanksgiving. He entered Rome on May 24, 1814. A year later, he instituted the same day as the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians to commemorate the anniversary of his return to Rome.
Devotion to Mary under this title quickly spread throughout the Christian world, most notably with St. Don Bosco who dedicated the mother church of the Salesian congregation to her in 1868.
“Most Holy Virgin Mary, Help of Christians . . . if earthly mothers cease not to remember their children, how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?” St. John Bosco prayed. “Grant then to me, I implore you, your perpetual help in all my necessities, in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations. . . .”
For Reflection:
What is your present sorrow or temptation? “Talk” to Our Lady about it under her title of Help of All Christians by writing a letter to her in a journal. Tomorrow’s GraceLine will encourage you even more to seek the maternal love of Our Blessed Mother.
