Mary Help of Christians
In 1844 the first provincial synod held in Sydney appointed Mary Help of Christians as the Patroness of Australia. The Holy See approved this in 1852. Since then, the Catholic people of Australia have acknowledged Mary, Help of Christians as our special protectress.
On Sunday, the 10th of April 1988, during the Marian Year, the Bishops of Australia again assembled at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney to repeat that first synod’s trust in the Mother of God. Before a large crowd in the Basilica dedicated to Mary Help of Christians, Cardinal Clancy led the Bishops of Australia to rededicate Australia to Mary Help of Christians.
The Confraternity of Mary Help of Christians
Commitments:
- To pray three “Hail Marys” each day in honour of Mary Help of Christians, followed by the invocation “Mary Help of Christians pray for us” after each Hail Mary.
- To recite the solemn act of entrusting ourselves and our families to Mary Help of Christians on Her feast day, the 24th of May.
Aims and Objectives
To promote and spread devotion to Mary Help of Christians, Patroness of Australia, throughout the length and breadth of Australia. To promote prayer to Mary Help of Christians, asking for Her intercession for God’s peace and protection for our Country, Church and families.
Prayer of Entrustment to Mary Help of Christians to be recited on Her Feast Day, the 24th of May
Mary Help of Christians is the Patroness of Australia, Mother of Mercy, Queen of Heaven and earth and refuge of sinners.
To you, we entrust our country, our families, our hearts, our souls, and all we have.
And so that this entrustment may be truly effective and lasting, we renew today the promises of our Baptism and Confirmation; and we undertake to live as good Christians — faithful to God, the Church, our own Bishop and the Holy Father.
We desire each day to honour you under the title, Help of Christians, by reciting three “Hail Marys”, asking for your intercession for God’s peace and protection for our country and our families.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.
Membership
Membership is open to all who wish to accept Mary Help of Christians as their special Patroness and place themselves under Her maternal love and care. Members are expected to try and keep their promise to recite three “Hail Mary’s” daily. However, this promise is not binding under sin.
Membership is free, and on joining, your name will be entered in the Remembrance Book at the Chapel of Our Lady Help of Christians, Marian Valley, Canungra. Each year, fifty Masses are offered for the spiritual and temporal welfare of all the living and deceased members.