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Mary Help of Christians... Pray for Us
May 24
May 24 is the feast of Our Lady as the ‘Help of Christians’, the spiritual carer or patron of Australia.
Our Lady has many titles but as our patron saint in Australia she is often referred to as Our Lady Help Of Christians.
Our own mothers and fathers help us to grow, learn and make decisions about the type of person we want to become. Our heavenly Mary does the same.
She invites us to “allow Christ to live in our hearts through faith”, just as she did.
Our Lady Help of Christians by Andrew Chinn
In writing the song I based the verses around different times in Mary’s life, the relationship to Jesus at those times, and how we can respond.
The first verse is based on the Annunciation, the second on the ministry of Jesus and the third verse focuses on the death and Resurrection of Christ and Mary’s role at those times. One of Mary’s other titles is used in each of these verses.
Mary Loved Him by Jane Mitchell (Mary's journey, her relationship with Jesus)
Images
Look carefully at the ‘Mary, Help of Christians’ image.
What do you see?
What do you think about the image and symbols used to show Mary as Queen and Jesus as King.
Why did the artist paint Mary in this way?
Draw how you think Mary looked.
In Australia, our patroness is also referred to as Our Lady of the Southern Cross.
The title ‘Our Lady of the Southern Cross’ commenced for World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney.
Look carefully at the Icon of Our Lady of the Southern Cross shown below. What symbols do you see?
How are these significant for Australians?
How are they different to the previous image? (the one above)
A prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians to start and finish the day...
A prayer to Our Lady Help of Christians to start and finish the day...
We pray to Mary...
We pray to Mary...
For peace in our country...
For peace in our country...
for the beauty of our country and its weather...
for the beauty of our country and its weather...
for our standard of living ... for freedom of religion...
for our standard of living ... for freedom of religion...
for our young people and our older people...
for our young people and our older people...
for our parents and families and values passed down to us...
for our parents and families and values passed down to us...
for our multicultural nation... for our indigenous brothers and sisters...
for our multicultural nation... for our indigenous brothers and sisters...
Mary, Help of Christians... Pray for us...
Mary, Help of Christians... Pray for us...
Amen
Amen
Bishop Greg asked Our Lady Help of Christians to protect Australia in the time of Covid-19.
Bishop Greg asked Our Lady Help of Christians to protect Australia in the time of Covid-19.
Some Information
Some Information
The Feast Day for Our Lady Help of Christians is held on the 24th of May.
The Feast Day for Our Lady Help of Christians is held on the 24th of May.
Catholics have always had strong devotion to Mary.
Catholics have always had strong devotion to Mary.
When there were no priests in colonial Australia, Catholics prayed to Mary to nurture their faith. One of the first priests, Father Therry, dedicated the Australian Church to Mary under the title “Help of Christians” in 1844.
When there were no priests in colonial Australia, Catholics prayed to Mary to nurture their faith. One of the first priests, Father Therry, dedicated the Australian Church to Mary under the title “Help of Christians” in 1844.
There were not many Priests and many families only kept their faith alive by saying the Rosary.
There were not many Priests and many families only kept their faith alive by saying the Rosary.
Catholics turned to Mary for support.
Catholics turned to Mary for support.
British settlement was just over 50 years old and the transportation of convicts was coming to an end.
British settlement was just over 50 years old and the transportation of convicts was coming to an end.
The first elections in Australian history had been held in 1843 and the Church was involved in social problems related to land, immigration and education. In 1843 Archbishop Polding held his first meeting with aboriginal people in Moreton Bay.
The first elections in Australian history had been held in 1843 and the Church was involved in social problems related to land, immigration and education. In 1843 Archbishop Polding held his first meeting with aboriginal people in Moreton Bay.
Catholic Australia has remained faithful to Mary, and was the first nation to choose her, under the title of Help of Christians
Catholic Australia has remained faithful to Mary, and was the first nation to choose her, under the title of Help of Christians
Prayer to Mary Help of Christians patroness of Australia
Prayer to Mary Help of Christians patroness of Australia
Almighty God, deepen our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Almighty God, deepen our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection, may the light of Christ shine over our land.
Through her prayers and under her protection, may the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australians live in harmony, justice and peace.
May Australians live in harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
Bless especially the men and women of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.
Things to do!
Things to do!
• During this month, include Marian prayers in your class prayers. Remembering that Mary is Mother of the Church, encourage the students to include a special prayer to Mary in their family prayers.
• During this month, include Marian prayers in your class prayers. Remembering that Mary is Mother of the Church, encourage the students to include a special prayer to Mary in their family prayers.
• Ask your parents or grandparents to recall what they learned about Mary when they were your age.
• Ask your parents or grandparents to recall what they learned about Mary when they were your age.
• Are there any Marian images in your home or parish? What are they like? Can you find out more about the origin of those images?
• Are there any Marian images in your home or parish? What are they like? Can you find out more about the origin of those images?
• Mary listened and responded to God with a “yes”. How are you living the way God asks of you?
• Mary listened and responded to God with a “yes”. How are you living the way God asks of you?
• Research what happened at Fatima (Portugal) in 1917.
• Research what happened at Fatima (Portugal) in 1917.
• Research what happened at Lourdes (France) in 1858.
• Research what happened at Lourdes (France) in 1858.
Links to other Resources
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pDXA0vcMIEwWJN_eY58jG5DbQZ2edYOH
Mary Help of Christians Support Materials
Yr 5 Resources Image and short explanation Find-a-Word
Did you know that the Bishops of Australia - including our Bishop Greg - have asked Our Lady Help of Christians to protect Australia in this time of Covid-19.
This is our prayer to her.
Mary Help of Christians... Pray for Us
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians, the patroness of our church in Australia, but a special day for the church in New Zealand too and around the world.
A selection of ours to guide you in prayer today.
Mary Loved Him by Jane Mitchell (Mary's journey, her relationship with Jesus)
Originally written for Our Lady Help of Christians in Epping, NSW, and illustrated here by the students of Our Lady Help of Christians in Rosemeadow, NSW:
Our Lady Help of Christians by Andrew Chinn
Finally, Drew's beautiful Mary, Pray For Us
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