The Feast of Mary Help of Christians in the Philippines

By Fr. Mike Pace, SDB

I celebrated the Feast of Mary, Help of Christians in the Philippines. I am here attending the Salesian Spirituality Seminar hosted by the FIN province at the Don Bosco Retreat Center in Batulao. My study cohort comprises 40 Salesian confreres and lay mission partners from 10 Asian countries and Canada. We traveled from Batulao to the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Paranaque for the feast day celebrations. Some 3,000 people participated: members of ADMA, the Cooperators, Past Pupils, Salesian Youth Movement members, and parishioners young and old. One group of devotees visiting from China was particularly excited about the event, as it was their first opportunity ever to be part of a large, public faith experience. They were delighted to be able to carry the statue of Mary Help in procession through the neighborhood. Solemn mass followed, and finally a festive dinner in the parish for all 3000 participants. The young people put on a great show.

The presider at mass was Fr. John Pitisant, Provincial of Thailand. I had the privilege of delivering the homily. It is a marvelous quality of our Salesian charism to feel right at home with people from all over the world who share Don Bosco’s love for Mary, Help of Christians.