Our founder, St John Bosco, had a special devotion to Mary Help of Christians, and dedicated his Salesians to her. Her feast on 24th May is a very special day for the Salesian Family, and this year, we also celebrate the 150th anniversary of the consecration of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, the church Don Bosco built in Valdocco, Turin, in her honour. The picture above features a banner created by Br Po Tak Anthony SDB, to decorate Thornleigh Salesian House in Bolton for the feast.

In his work caring for the young, who were often orphaned and abandoned, Don Bosco saw their need for maternal guidance and love, and urged them to understand that Mary was their mother, comforting her children and leading them to Jesus her son. In the Salesian Family, we remember that Mary is eternally there for us as our mother too.

During his recent vist to Beirut, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, wrote about the importance of Our Lady to the Salesian Family:

"Looking with a Salesian gaze, we recognise and we continue to say today, just as Don Bosco did in his day, that It's she who has done everything and allow me to add that she will continue to do so!"

"Blessed feast of Mary Help of Christians! On May 23 at Valdocco we will solemnly inaugurate this 150th anniversary celebration. It will be a priceless opportunity for us to unite ourselves to all the shrines, chapels, churches, and basilicas around the world where she, our holy Mother, continues to radiate her motherly tenderness, just as she did today in Beirut. I've seen it!"

Happy feast!

Read the Rector Major's message in full