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The Novena to Mary Help of Christians - Day 1

May 15, 2020

This year the traditional Novena to Mary Help of Christians (May 15 to 23) takes on a very special meaning given the health emergency provoked by the spread of the Coronavirus, which for some months has been scourging all humanity.

We will be inspired by the Marian antiphon that runs along the entire Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, between the capitals of the pillars and the cornice, written in capital letters.

"SANCTA MARIA, succurre miseris, iuva pusillanimes, refove flebiles, ora pro populo, interveni pro clero, intercedes pro devoto femineo sexu, sentiant omnes peccatores tuum iuvamen, quicumque tuum sanctum implorant auxilium" ("Mary, help the wretched, render strong the pusillanimous, revive the weak, pray for the people, intervene for the clergy, intercede for all women, may all sinners and all those who implore your holy help experience your help.")

Every day, after a brief comment at each invocation, the testimony of a figure of holiness of our Salesian Family who lived in times of epidemic will follow.

A commitment to live during the day will then be indicated and we will close with the Act of Special Entrustment to Mary Help of Christians, renewing with the heart of Don Bosco our trust in Mary Most Holy, in this hour of great trial and suffering, but also charged with solidarity, faith and hope.

The comment to each day mediation is done personally by the Rector Major and the text is provided by Fr. Pier Luigi Cameroni. The daily videos are available on the YouTube in six languages (Italian, Spanish, English, Portuguese, French and Polish).

The Novena daily videos offer a wonderful opportunity of good quality animation, but also connect the whole Salesian Family world wide. Fr. Angel F. Artime, the 10th successor of Don Bosco, challenges us to share and involve in the Novena our families or friends and spread it far and wide.

• Link to the video Day 1

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