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1.- Sources
Help name was given as early as 1030 to the Virgin Mary, in Ukraine (Russia), have released this region of the invasion of the pagan tribes. Since then in Ukraine is celebrated every year the feast of Mary Help of October 1.
There is evidence that by the year 1558 already included in the litany that used to recite in the sanctuary of Loreto Italy.
2.- Victoria, 1571
This year the Turks threatened to invade all of Europe. On October 7, with the help of Mary, the naval fleet of John of Austria defeated the Turkish ships at Lepanto. St. Pius V devoted this day to Santa Maria for the win and the rosary and the invocation. "Mary Help of Christians" was circulated among the people.
3.- The Religious Wars of the XVI Century
The center of expansion, of this title, settled in southern Germany, which, despite Protestant triumph, were proposed to remain faithful to Catholicism. In 1618 religious wars break known as "wars of 30 years." The Catholic princes and people began to invoke the Blessed Virgin. With the title "Maria Auxiliadora" and went on pilgrimage to a chapel with this name had risen to the Virgin in the city of Passau (Germany). Amid the thousand vicissitudes of war, pestilence and religious confrontation, the Catholics of Bavaria and Tirol felt protected by the SMA. Virgin and experienced a spiritual renewal.
The Marian movement was encouraged and guided by the Capuchin Fathers and the Confraternity of Mary Help of Christians, developer of the new Marian devotion. In many believed it to find a safe way to save his Catholic faith and freedom of their land.
4.- The Turks attacked Vienna (1683)
Besides the religious and social convulsions caused in central Europe by the Protestant crisis, there was the impetus of Islam. In 1683 the Turks, commanded by the Vizier Kara Mustafa, lay siege to Vienna, capital of the empire. Pope Innocent XI was then seriously endanger the existence of a Christian Europe, the faithful flocked to the protection of the Virgin Mary. "The invocation" Mary, help "(Maria Hilf), says a historian, visited all the regions of Germany and Austria".
The victory went to the Christian forces, although the Islamic were three times higher. Vienna was liberated. Once again the people experienced the help of the Virgin Mary Help of Christians.
5.- Pius VII and Napoleon Bonaparte (1814)
Power had misplaced Napoleon Bonaparte wanted to impose the selfish whims pope the pope was rejected by what Napoleon invaded Italy and took the Pope Pius VII exile for 5 years, Benedict implored the help of Mary, inviting the same Christians to time entrust to it. The French emperor was defeated, then Pius VII was free and could move toward the city of Rome, where, amid general rejoicing came a day May 24, 1814. The Pope attributed this release itself and the whole church to the protection of the Virgin and, therefore, instituted the feast of Mary Help of Christians.
6.- Mary Help and John Bosco (1862)
Maria Auxiliadora chases Don Bosco. Born in 1815, when it was first celebrated liturgically the feast of Mary Help of Christians. Not far from the place of his birth, Morens, there is a chapel dedicated to Mary Help of Christians. In Turin found that patronage in the church of San Francisco de Paula was an image and a partnership in his honor, inspired by an existing one in Munich.
In 1848 are already placed on the desk of Don Bosco some pictures with the title "Help of Christians." But it will be exactly in 1862, in the prime of Don Bosco, when Marian makes the final choice. Salesian Youth Tells John Cagliero:
"Madonna wants the honor with the title of Help of Christians, these times are difficult and we need Virgin to help us preserve and defend the Christian faith."
In 1863, not without serious difficulties, Don Bosco began the construction of the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians today with only a capital of forty cents. Five years later on June 9, 1868 was consecrated the temple and over.
7.- Mary Help of Mexico (1889)
Mr. Edith Borrel, was part of the Mexican Catholic Circle, an association was interested in everything that could strengthen the region in the country. The committed Catholic he met in Turin with the successor of Don Bosco, Fr Michael Rua, probably in 1888 and received the diploma of Salesian Cooperator. Arriving in Mexico why his fellow Catholic Circle and thus was born the first group of Salesian cooperators in Mexico City on June 22, 1889. They organized a work at a Salesian: spreading the good news, Christian education of children, young and simple people, organization of special devotion to Jesus and Mary Help of Sacramento. On May 25, 1890 the first festival was held at Maria Auxiliadora. Soon he began to feel the favors of Maria Auxiliadora. In 1892 came the first Salesians to Mexico with the slogan of spreading devotion to Mary Help of Christians.
It is worth noting the enthusiasm Marian P. Rafael Noguer led to make several trips around the Republic spread devotion to Mary Help of Christians.
