May 24: Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians

By the year 1597, the the Litany of Loreto contained the title of Mary "Advocata Christianorum" (Help of Christians). The phrase was used largely after the battle of Lepanto, where a coalition of fleets which formed the "Holy League" defeated the main Ottoman fleet which was sailing from Lepanto, Greece. The defeat of the Turks was attributed to Divine Will (as the Ottomans had not lost a major naval battle for a century).

The Feast day of Our Lady, Help of Christians did not come until 1816. On July 5, 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte had Pope Pius VII arrested and taken to a prison outside Paris. It was not until 1814 (after the battle of Leipzig) that he was released. On March 17, he was set free in Savona, Italy, on the eve of the feast of Our Lady of Mercy. The pontiff attributed this victory to Our Lady and on his march back to Rome, he entered every sanctuary to Our Mother and crown her images. People crowded the streets to catch a glimpse of the pontiff who had stood up to Napoleon himself. He re-entered Rome on May 24th and assigned that day as the Feast of Our Lady, Help of Chrstians.

-Litany of Loreto

V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Christ have mercy.
V. Lord have mercy. Christ hear us.
R. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of Virgins, [etc.]
Mother of Christ,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good Counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace,

V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be freed from present sorrow, and rejoice in eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.