The worldwide and extraordinary novena to Mary Help of Christians is an event that comes from the heart of the Rector Major, that wants us all united to She who knows our needs. Don Bosco had to face tough problems: war, hunger, violence, and even cholera, which killed many people in Turin in 1854.
"In the face of 'borderline' situations for human life, we entrust ourselves to God," says Fr Cameroni. "We put ourselves completely in the hands of He who is the master of life. Don Bosco always entrusted himself to Mary Help of Christians. During cholera he invited his young people to live in God's grace, to confess and to wear the medal of Mary Help of Christians. On various occasions and in particular moments - as during the cholera of 1854 - he expressed the belief that Mary is our help. And this applies also and, above all, in times of trial and difficulty, such as those we are experiencing at this moment."
"The Extraordinary World Novena to Mary Help of Christians is meant to be recited on a personal and family level. Today it is easy to communicate with millions of people and it is possible to stay in touch even without leaving one's own home. This is why I invite you to make this moment of deep prayer. We will unite in praying to the Lord through Mary Help of Christians. In this way we will be united as a Salesian Family all over the world, to ask God to help us in the most urgent needs."
The worldwide head of ADMA invites everyone to look for a medal of the Virgin Help of Christians, to hold the Holy Rosary in hand and to place the image of Mary in a clearly visible place. “It is time to make the figure of Mary our Mother even more beautiful, remaining calm in the awareness that She walks by our side. I would say that, as Don Bosco himself said, we must have a lot of faith in Mary Help of Christians and in Jesus Eucharist, and thus we shall see what miracles are. In the hour of trial, the Church and humanity must have as support the two pillars of Don Bosco's dream, the Eucharist and Our Lady. I ask you to join us worldwide under the invocation of Mary Help of Christians and to be in spiritual communion with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament: it is time to recover and discover the beauty of spiritual communion with Jesus Eucharist."
