Mary Help of Christians, Patroness of AUSTRALIA
Some Irish exiles in Australia were prisoners of war. They had fought for independence, in the Irish rebellion of 1798, while others were colonists, trying to survive the famine and subsequent years of penury in the distant Ireland they had left behind. Under these circumstances Catholic Australia remained faithful to Mary, being the first nation to choose her as its principal Patroness, with the title Help of Christians. Australia became the first country to have Mary Help of Christians as Patroness, and St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral, the cathedral church of the Archdiocese of Sydney, is dedicated to her.
Mary Help of Christians in Goiânia – BRAZIL
A jewel of the Cathedral Church in Goiania, Brazil, is the image of Our Lady Help of Christians, Patroness of the Archdiocese and the city. The parishioners called it the "Image of the Miracle" because, in a procession through the streets of the neighbourhood, the image was carried without anchoring it to the platform and they only noticed it once it reached the church when, facing the threat of collapse, it was supported by passersby. The image was placed on the altar prepared in the Civic Square, where Holy Mass was celebrated on 5 July 1942, for the official inauguration of the city, presided over by the Archbishop of Cuiabá.
Mary Help of Christians Patroness of agriculture, ARGENTINA
On 27 October 1949, at the initiative of farmers in the Rosario area, the National Executive Power signed a decree that “declared María Auxiliadora de los Cristianos Patroness of agriculture in Argentina”. The decree gives detailed recognition to the Salesian Congregation for its important contribution to Argentine agriculture by establishing agricultural schools throughout the country.
Patroness of the State of AMAZONAS and Queen of the ORINOCO
On 5 February 1932, Pius XI created the Apostolic Prefecture of Upper Orinoco, entrusted to Salesian missionaries who promoted the presence of the Virgin Mary, Help of Christians in these lands of grace, beginning with their arrival in Puerto Ayacucho on 11 September 1933. Thus, from 1935-1937, the first Catholic church in honour of the Virgin Mary Help of Christians was born in the Humboldt neighbourhood. On 20 May 1980, the Municipal Council of the Federal Territory of Amazonas decreed 24 May as a day of jubilation and declared Mary Help of Christians Patroness of Puerto Ayacucho. On 18 May 2011, Governor Liborio Guarulla reaffirmed this decree, making her Patroness of the State of Amazonas and the magnificent Orinoco River.
Source: Bollettino Salesiano
