I Entrust all Missionaries to Mary in the Upper Room
Today, as never before, the Church has the opportunity of bringing the Gospel, by witness and word, to all people and
nations. I see the dawning of a new missionary age, which will become a radiant day bearing an abundant harvest, if
all Christians, and missionaries and young churches in particular, respond with generosity and holiness to the calls
and challenges of our time.
Like the apostles after Christ's Ascension, the Church must gather in the Upper Room "together with Mary, the Mother
of Jesus" (Acts 1:14), in order to pray for the Spirit and to gain
strength and courage to carry out the missionary mandate. We
too, like the apostles, need to be transformed and guided by the
Spirit.
On the eve of the third millennium the whole Church is invited to
live more intensely the mystery of Christ by gratefully cooperating
in the work of salvation. The Church does this together with Mary
and following the example of Mary, the Church's Mother and
model: Mary is the model of that maternal love which should
inspire all who cooperate in the Church's apostolic mission for the
rebirth of humanity. Therefore, "strengthened by the presence of
Christ, the Church journeys through time toward the
consummation of the ages and goes to meet the Lord who comes.
But on this journey ...she proceeds along the path already trodden
by the Virgin Mary."
To "Mary's mediation, wholly oriented toward Christ and tending
to the revelation of his salvific power," I entrust the Church and,
in particular, those who commit themselves to carrying out the
missionary mandate in today's world.
(John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio, 92)
first salesian cooperators from Mongolia
M ary H elp of C hristians as painted by
B ayaa a teacher and a catechumen in
D ark han, M ongolia
PRAYER TO MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS FOR CHINA
Virgin most holy, Help of Christians,
Mother of Christ, Patroness and Guide for China, intercede for the Church, for the Chinese People and the
Youth entrusted to your motherly care.
Fill all with the desire to know the Father’s loving plan, the courage to accept Christ’s Gospel,
the willingness to grow in the Holy Spirit.
Keep all kinds of evil far from your children. Defend them from the dangers of materialism and
religious indifference. Raise up holy vocations among them, faithful to the service of God’s
Kingdom.
Grant us, too, waiting in trust for the miracles our father Don Bosco foresaw, the same deep faith as
his, the same passion and thirst for souls. Make us faithful to our charismand to our preference for
poor and abandoned youth.
Give us courage to dream, boldness in daring, wisdom in loving deeds, perseverance in giving our all
for the mission, and purity of life which reflects your own.
You, who at Cana hastened your Son’s Hour, be as anxious now to show your motherly care, and bring
your people a speedy revealing of freedom, peace and joy in listening to your Son.
