On the Feast Day of Mary Help of Christians, the Pontiff - himself a devotee of Mary Help of Christians, and who, as archbishop of Buenos Aires, celebrated the central Mass for the Feast of Mary Help of Christians every May 24 in the Basilica of the Almagro neighborhood - then also mentioned the Salesian Family and its Marian vocation, the legacy of the Congregation's founder, St. John Bosco, expressing words of affection, praise, and encouragement for all its members. "Mary Help of Christians Day is a Marian vocation so dear to Don Bosco: a greeting and remembrance to the Salesian Family, giving thanks for all they do for the Church."
The Holy Father then did not fail to address a supplication to Mary Help of Christians with a thought for Ukraine. "Still sadness comes to us all for the martyred Ukraine: they suffer so much there; let us not forget them. Let us pray today to Mary Help of Christians that she may be close to the Ukrainian people."
On the day dedicated to Mary Help of Christians, the Church also celebrates the World Day of Prayer for the Catholic Church in China. In the Asian country, Mary is venerated and invoked at the Shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan in Shanghai. On this occasion, the Pontiff expressed his closeness to his Chinese brothers and sisters, sharing their joys and hopes: "On this occasion, I wish to assure remembrance and express closeness to our brothers and sisters in China, sharing their joys and hopes. A special thought is addressed to all those who suffer, pastors and faithful, that in the communion and solidarity of the Universal Church, they may experience consolation and encouragement. I invite all to raise their prayers to God, that the Good News of Christ crucified and risen may be proclaimed in its fullness, beauty and freedom, bearing fruit for the good of the Catholic Church and all of Chinese society."
The Church has celebrated the World Day of Prayer for the Catholic Church in China since 2007. The proposal was announced at the time by Pope Benedict XVI, who chose this date precisely because it is the liturgical day of Mary Help of Christians, who is greatly venerated by the Chinese.
