Among the many titles given to Our Blessed Mother, the most ancient ones are ‘ Theotokos’ (meaning, Mother of God) and ‘ Boeteia ’ (meaning ‘The Helper’). The Fathers of the Church, from very early times, referred to Mary as ‘Boeteia’ or the Helper. The earliest use of the title of Helper (Boeteia) referring to Mary is found in St. John Chrysostom who used it in a homily he preached in the year 345.
The title of Mary Help of Christians is associated with the defense of Christian Europe from non Christian peoples during the Middle Ages. In 1571 the Islamic Ottoman Empire (the Turkish Empire) attempted to invade Christian Europe. Pope Pius V called upon Christian armies from all over Europe to defend the continent and asked believers to pray to Mary in order to help the Christians. The defeat of the Muslim Turks that followed at the battle of Lepanto was attributed to the intercession of Mary under this title.
The feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians, was instituted by Pope Pius VII who was arrested by Napoleon in 1806 and detained as a prisoner. He was set free on 17 March 1814. His return to Rome was a triumphal march. The pontiff, attributing the victory of the Church after so much agony and distress to the Blessed Virgin, visited many of her sanctuaries on the way and crowned her images. The people crowded the streets to catch a glimpse of the venerable pontiff who had so bravely withstood the threats of Napoleon. He entered Rome on 24 May 1814 and was enthusiastically welcomed.
After the battle of Waterloo where Napoleon was defeated, Pope Pius VII instituted the feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians, on 15 September 1815, just a month after the birth of Don Bosco, to celebrate the anniversary of his return from exile.
In the 19th century, the veneration of Mary under this title became popular in Italy especially through the efforts of Don Bosco, who built a magnificent basilica in her honour in Turin in 1868. Thereafter, devotion to Mary Help of Christians has spread throughout the world through the efforts of his sons and daughters.
“Mary, Mother of God, holds a unique place in the history of salvation. She is a model of prayer and pastoral love, the teacher of wisdom and guide of our Family.
We contemplate and imitate her faith, her concern for the needy, her fidelity at the hour of the cross, and her joy at the wonders wrought by the Father. Mary Immaculate, Help of Christians, leads us to the fullness of our offering to the Lord and gives us courage for the service of our sisters and brothers, especially the poor and those who fine themselves in difficult situations. We develop a strong filial devotion to her. We recite the rosary each day and celebrate her feasts to encourage a more convinced and personal imitation.” May Mary, the help of Christians bless us and guide us each day.