Mary, Help of Christians Note Card

Mary, the Help of Christians (Latin: Sancta Maria Auxilium Christianorum) is a title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, based on a the May 24th feast day of Mary under the title The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church.
This image is taken from the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians at Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wisconsin.  This national shrine has been a site for pilgrims for many years. Crutches line the entry way from many people who have been healed by making their petitions there.

St. John Chrysostom was the first person to use this Marian title in 345 AD. St. Don Bosco also propagated the same devotion Mary, Help of Christians.

In 1571, The Islamic Ottoman Empire intended to invade Christian Europe. Pope Pius V invoked all Christians and Christian armies say the Rosary to Our Lady under this title. Although outnumbered, the Holy League famously defeated the Ottomans at the Battle of Lepanto. Pius V attributed the victory to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and instituted the feast of Our Lady of Victory. Biographers report that as the Battle of Lepanto ended, Pope Pius V rose and went over to a window, where he stood gazing toward the East. Looking at the sky, he cried out, 'A truce to business; our great task at present is to thank God for the victory which He has just given the Christian army'.

Pope Leo XIII signed and granted a pontifical decree of Canonical Coronation towards the Turin image on 13 February 1903. The rite of coronation was executed on 17 May 1903 by Cardinal Agostino Richelmy, and is now permanently enshrined within the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Turin, Italy. Also available as a keepsake rosary box, print, prayer card, and bookmark.