Mary Help of Christians- Patroness of Australia and New Zealand.

OPENING PRAYER SERIES 

THE MASS.

Mary, Help of Christians is the Patroness of Australia and New Zealand. This feast falls on the 24th May each year, but this year it falls next to the feast of Pentecost, which is fitting as Pentecost is the birth of the Church and Mary, gave her ascent to being the mother of God and gave birth to Jesus. We need Mary to help us give birth to Christ in our lives each day.

PRAYER  OF THE FEAST

The prayer often associated with this feast is as follows:

Lord,

You place deep in our hearts the love of Mary, Help of Christians.

Through her prayers, 

grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.

Under her protection may Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.

In years gone by, this prayer was recited regularly at school.  I can remember wondering why was it so important to have wisdom for the leaders and integrity for the citizens, rather than vice-versa.  All these years later, I have to say that this prayer definitely had the correct wording as our leaders do need wisdom and our citizens need integrity.

I also have a special spot for this feast as I was baptised at a church called 'Mary Help of Christians' and I remember fondly a dear old nun with this name- she became known in some circles as 'Help'. May God bless her soul because she was a help to many.

May Mary Help of Christians 

help all citizens of Australia and New Zealand on this feast day.