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13 August 2025

The title 'Mary Help of Christians'

 The title, Mary Help of Christians, though not coined by Don Bosco was most promulgated by Don Bosco, within the Catholic Church.  Although initially, the title most used in the Oratory of Don Bosco was 'Seat of wisdom, pray for us'.  It is only in the early 1860s that  the invocation 'Mary Help of Christians' came to be in use and by 1867 came to be the mainstay of the Salesian prayer. 

Furthermore, the title, 'Mary, Help of Christians' is not used in the early editions of the Companion of Youth (the magazine/prayer book that Don Bosco wrote for the youth of his times - relevant even today!). 

The other most frequently used invocation in Mary's name was 'the Immaculate'.  Don Bosco particularly was fond of this title because it offered all, especially the young, the model and inspiration, to grow in purity of virtue.  In order to appease the Virgin, the young would be moved to make all necessary efforts (more out of fear and reverence) to avoid sin.  


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