Mary Help of Christians Celebrations

CANADA

EDMONTON

On Saturday, May 22, Mary Help of Christians was celebrated with Mass at 6:45 pm MDT by Fr. Mario Villaraza, SDB at the Salesian Community Chapel in Edmonton with the Don Bosco Alumni, their families, and others on the road or workplace. After Communion, they prayed the Entrustment of the Home to Mary Help of Christians which was also prayed by many of the devotees and the students of the Don Bosco Schools in the Philippines.

Two days later, the Salesian Community at Edmonton (Fr. Mario, Fr. Raja, Fr. Saga, and Fr. Sathia) concelebrated the Mass of Mary Help of Christians at 7:00 pm MDT. They were joined by the Salesian Cooperators, with Don Bosco Alumni of Calgary, and devotees of Mary Help of Christians from Toronto and Surrey, BC. The devotees included a couple who had difficulty in having a baby that was blessed with a healthy baby and another who had survived a financial crisis through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary). After Communion, they prayed the Entrustment of the Home to Mary Help of Christians. The Blessing of Mary Help of Christians concluded the celebration. Fr. Mario's homily from the Mass can be read here.

SURREY

The Salesian Cooperators organized an online Novena to Mary Help of Christians. It ran from Saturday, May 15 through Sunday, May 23, starting at 6:10 pm PDT/9:10 pm EDT. The screenshot was taken by Alejandro Sarmiento.
 

EASTERN USA

CHICAGO

Following the 1:00 pm ET Mass of Pentecost Sunday, over 150 people participated in a sidewalk mini-procession led by ADMA-Chicago. With the image of Maria Auxiliadora, the group walked through the neighborhood surrounding St. John Bosco Church offering songs and prayers. Upon returning to the church, the Salesian Family of Illinois gathered for a multi-lingual Rosary (Spanish, English, Polish) animated by the Salesian Cooperators. The Rosary was punctuated with song and presentations of flowers at the shrine of the Virgin Mary Help of Christians. The Salesian Family gathering included the Salesians of Don Bosco (Chicago), ADMA (Chicago), and the Salesian Cooperators (Chicago, St. Charles, Chrystal Lake, and Champaign, IL).
 

HARVEY

On Monday, May 24, St. Rosalie's School and St. John Bosco Parish held May Crownings. St. John Bosco Parish performed two, one in the church, and the other outside after a gathering to pray the Rosary.
 

STONY POINT

On Saturday, May 22, the Salesian Family celebrated Marian Day at the Marian Shrine. It was a wonderful day, filled with hope, prayer, and presence. The morning included confessions, a virtual tour of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, witness talks and a Q&A led in English and Spanish, and Mass. The afternoon began with a picnic and games, followed by a memorial Rosary and a May Crowning. The day ended with a Good Night and blessing of Mary Help of Christians. Moreover, many members of the Salesian Family were able to both attend in person and participate in the celebrations virtually.
 

TAMPA

The Mary Help of Christians Festival took place Sunday, May 16, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm EST. The day began with the Serenade of Mother Mary, followed by Mass, the Rosary procession, and a May Crowning. Food and festivities were enjoyed lakeside, and the day ending with a Mary, Help of Christians blessing.