Day 6: May 20

"Mary, Don Bosco's Mother and Helper"

Reading: (From Don Bosco with God)

Don Bosco constantly celebrated the glories of Mary, ancient and modern, and he sought always to infuse in others the filial trust in her that he nourished in his own heart.  He never ceased to invoke the help of his heavenly patron.  Public declarations of gratitude were ever on his lips for the innumerable graces and benefits he had received through the powerful intercession of the Help of Christians.  “How good Mary is!” he used to exclaim frequently.  Whenever he was praised for his achievements he felt embarrassed and would quickly correct his admirers saying, “These good people don't know who Don Bosco is; it is Mary Help of Christians who does everything.”

He was often moved to the point of tears when preaching about the greatness of Mary.  He was heard to repeat insistently that he had never taken any step without recourse to Mary.

(from Don Bosco and the Spiritual Life)

Don Bosco’s boys from 1847 on, sang the following song:

“We are sons of Mary:

Let the breeze and wind repeat it,

Let the whole earth echo it

In pleasing harmony.

We are sons of Mary.”

Prayer:

Our Father…

Hail Mary…

Glory Be…

Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.