The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, protector of families and homes, on May 24.
This devotion to Our Lady emerged in the 16th century when the invocation “Help of Christians” was added by Pope Saint Pius V to the Litany of Loreto after the famous Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
The liturgical feast was established by Pope Pius VII upon returning from France after spending five years as a prisoner of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The pontiff attributed his return, which occurred on May 24, 1814, to the intercession of Mary, Help of Christians, setting this date on the calendar in her honor.
The title and devotion to Our Lady, Help of Christians, in turn, was widely disseminated by Saint John Bosco. He built the great Basilica dedicated to Our Lady, Help of Christians in Turin, Italy in 1862.
Full of confidence in the power of the Virgin Mother of God, we want to consecrate our families and homes to her maternal protection.
Consecration Prayer to Mary, Help of Christians
Let us pray:
Most holy Virgin Mary, appointed by God to be the Help of Christians, we choose you as the Mother and Protectress of our home.
We ask you to favor us with your powerful protection. Preserve our home from every danger – from fire, flood, lightning, storm, earthquake, thieves, vandals, and from every other danger.
Bless us, protect us, defend us. Keep as your own, all the people who dwell in this home. Protect them from all accidents and misfortunes, but above all, obtain for them the most important grace of avoiding sin.
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for all those who live in this home which is consecrated to you for all time.
Amen.
Prayer Source: Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco
