Mary Help of Christians Celebrations 2025

With contributions by Rosina Di Felice, Salesian Cooperator; Fr. Tito Iannacio, SDB; Jennifer Passerino, Salesian Family; and Fr. John Serio, SDB, Director, Mary Help of Christians Center, Tampa, FL

This year’s feast of Mary Help of Christians took place on Saturday, May 24. Four of our communities shared how they celebrated our Lady. Here’s what they had to say.

ETOBICOKE

The Salesian Family of Toronto customized the celebration of the feast of Mary Help of Christians to fit St. Benedict Church’s Saturday schedule. In the morning, the parish celebrated the solemn liturgy of Mary Help of Christians. Then, before the Sunday Vigil Mass, the faithful gathered around the large statue of Mary Help of Christians. Family members and friends formed the decades of the Rosary with each adult and young person presenting a flower to Mary as the Our Father and Hail Mary were prayed.

After the Mass, everyone was invited to a food and fun gathering in the church hall. Finger foods, music and games for young people created a warm and inviting atmosphere.

MONTRÉAL

The Don Bosco Latino Ministry (DBLM) celebrated a wonderful feast of Mary Help of Christians. There was a long and laborious preparation with an excellent team over a period of two months.

We began with the Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Fr. Luc Lantage, SDB. We were visited by Salesian past students from Saint Hyacinthe (a neighboring diocese), who reminisced about their school years in our Salesian presences in Latin America.

Following this, faithful to the style of Don Bosco, there was a very large parents' assembly to inform them about our youth formation programs and parents' school. This was followed by a succulent shared lunch served with five-star distinction.

This was followed by a fair with countless games and the exchange of points for prizes, among which were beautiful paintings of Our Lady Help of Christians. A day of evaluation and celebration with the staff will soon follow.

Warm greetings from the DBLM, which is growing and uniting so many families and young people and forming them for life and spreading the Salesian charism in Quebec.

We offer here a note of faith and a very close presence of Don Bosco.

STONY POINT

The feast of Mary Help of Christians was celebrated on Saturday, May 24, at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians with several events. These included adoration and the sacrament of Reconciliation, followed by a beautiful Mass in honor of Mary. Attendees also participated in the Rosary of Hope and an indoor May Crowning with the blessing of Mary Help of Christians.

On Saturday, May 31, the National Shrine also held a bi-lingual celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Mass, which included a mariachi band, was followed by a procession to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe with the Rosary of Hope and Blessing of Mary Help of Christians.

The Shrine Chapel recently added a petition box next to the statue of Mary Help of Christians where visitors can place their special prayer intentions.

Please join us this coming Sunday, June 8, for our Pentecost Festival. All are welcome!

TAMPA

Mary is a magnet! That may be a weird statement to make when referring to the Mother of God, but on Saturday, May 24, the whole Salesian world celebrated the solemnity of Mary Help of Christians! From the basilica in Turin that bears her name to the smallest mission in a far-flung corner of the globe, we members of the Salesian Family honored Don Bosco’s Madonna!

We certainly contributed to the festivities here at the Mary Help of Christians Center. A full church responded joyfully in prayer and song. Congregants came from many places—not only parishioners, but also past pupils from Salesian schools and centers in other countries, as well as from New York, northern Florida, and the local area.

We had about 30 parishioners—young and some “not-so-young” dressed as saints, who sat at places of honor during Mass and participated in the Rosary procession afterwards. Mother Cabrini, Padre Pio, St. Francis, the Holy Family (I didn’t know that Joseph and Mary also had three daughters!) were just some of God’s special friends who joined us. The Cooperators who were present also renewed their promises after the homily.

Following Mass, we prayed the Rosary in procession and ended with the crowning of Mary Help of Christians at the top of the main building (I’m glad that I wasn’t the one who had to ascend on the lift!). Of course, what would a Salesian celebration be without food? Thanks to the Knights of Columbus, the Korean Catholic community, and the Mama Margaret Guild, we were treated to supper and a time to get together.

All in all, it was a grand feast! Mary certainly knows how to draw people together. It was a marvelous gathering and opportunity to honor the patroness of the Salesian Family as well as our own local community and ministries. Thanks to Deacon Ed Anctil for organizing this event and to all the members of the parish and center who assisted him.

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us!