Saturday, September 01, 2007

September - the Month of the Holy Cross

Help of Christians, pray for us

This invocation is related and close to - 'Cause of our joy'- and reminds us that Our Lady is great help to Christians, living and dead. Devotion to Blessed Virgin developed from the beginning of Christianity in times of first martyrs. We can see her pictures with child Jesus painted on the walls of Roman catacombs. She was always 'Auxiliatrix Christianorum', and inspired foundation of many Religious Orders beginning with St Benedict, St Dominic, St Francis of Assisi and St Ignatius of Loyola. She was helping us in times of schisms, military conflicts with Turks, rescuing what could be saved through religious Congregations consecrated to her name or just through deep devotion to Rosary - she interceded always for us. In gratitude the Church dedicated to her the whole month of May, and we also venerate her Immaculate heart in August, in October we commemorate her as the Queen of Holy Rosary, whereas December is the month of Immaculate Conception. She is our unfailing Mediatrix with her divine Son. She is refuge for faithful souls in times of indifference, dubious morality and hatred of God. She is also very compassionate to souls in Purgatory and intercedes before God for their release. We should always remember Our Lady and never neglect devotion to her who is the Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, and Help of Christians.