Religious Education
Parish Bulletin
Our Lady Help of Christians
The feast of Our Lady Help of Christians is next week therefore, I take this opportunity to share some details about this feast day with you.
Our Lady Help of Christians is credited with saving the Christian world from Islamic invasion, at the Battle of Lepanto, in 1571, delivering a besieged Vienna from 200,000 Ottoman Turks in the 17th century and freeing Pope Pius VII from imprisonment, under Napoleon, in France, in 1809.
In Australia, the history of devotion to Our Lady Help of Christians dates back to the earliest days of European settlement. At that time, no Catholic priests could be sent to the colonies and Mass was rarely allowed, until 1820. During this time of spiritual hardship for Catholics, it was reciting the Rosary that kept the Catholic faith alive.
Australia was the first country to name Our Lady Help of Christians as its national patroness in 1844.
The beautiful stained-glass depiction, housed in St Mary’s Cathedral, Hobart, is Tasmania’s tribute to Australia’s patroness.
There are 12 Catholic churches and 7 Catholic schools dedicated to the protection and guidance Our Lady Help of Christians nationwide.
Mary Help of Christians
Patroness of Australia and of the Military Ordinariate
Almighty God, deepen in our hearts
Our love of Mary Help of Christians.
Through her prayers and under her protection,
May the light of Christ shine over our land.
May Australia be granted harmony, justice and peace.
Grant wisdom to our leaders and integrity to our citizens.
Bless especially the men and women
Of the Australian Defence Force and their families.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Our Lady Help of Christians, pray for us.
I invite you to also pray the Novena of Our Lady Help of Christians https://www.americaneedsfatima.org/Our-Blessed-Mother/novena-to-our-lady-help-of-christians.html
God bless and stay courageous.
Michelle Hinds
(Deputy Principal & Religious Education Leader)