Anecdotes about the Virgin Mary

"Australia under the Help of Mary: a nation consecrated from the beginning"

Sydney (Australia) (1844)

There is something moving in which such a young land in faith immediately put its destiny under Mary's cloak. Australia was the first nation in the world to officially choose St. Mary, Help of Christians, as its main patronin the year 1844. He did so when the Church there was only a fragile seed: few priests, scattered settlers and deportees, with few masses and extreme ecclesial poverty. Since then, the May 24 - Feast of Mary Auxiliary, established by Pius VII in 1815 - is celebrated as a patronal solemnity of the country.

La Cathedral of Santa Maria de Sydney, the seat of the archdiocese, is dedicated to Mary Help of Christians and is recognized as National Catholic Sanctuary of AustraliaHe received the title of a minor basilica from the hands of Pius XI in 1930. The Australian Church's memory highlights the role of pioneering priests, such as Father John Joseph Kerry, who planted Marian devotion between settlers and prisoners, trusting in the help of the Virgin.

The plans should be carefully distinguished. It's documented the election of Mary Help of Christians as the main patron in 1844, the institution of the feast of May 24 by Pius VII, and the dedication of the cathedral-sanctuary of Sydney. It's pious reading, en cambio, presentar a Australia «puesta bajo su protección» desde los mismos comienzos de la colonia por obra de sacerdotes y fieles: hermosa y verosímil, pero del orden de la devoción más que del decreto. Y respecto a apariciones o milagros oficialmente reconocidos bajo este título en Australia: no consta.

El Rosary It is an enchanting place at this national party. On May 24, along with the solemn masses and Marian processions, many Australian Catholic families gather to pray the Rosary, or at least a ten, offering the country to the care of Mary Auxiliadora. It is not a legal rule, but a very deep-rooted devotional use around the country's Marian day.