San José (Costa Rica). On 24 May 2022, in the House of Mary Help of Christians in San José, Costa Rica, headquarters of the Social Works founded by Blessed Sister Maria Romero Meneses, carried out today by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Our Lady of the Angels Province (CAR), the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians was celebrated with the great devotion transmitted, by the Blessed, characterized by a strong social and missionary impulse:
“The title of Help of Christians has a strong social and missionary character. Mary, as Help of Christians, calls Christians to a liberating ethical life, that is, to be true and effective helpers of the personal and social needs of the neediest” (Marcelo Escalante).
If devotion to the Help of Christians is already lived in an eminent way in everyday life, on May 24 everyone participated to make the Feast an unforgettable community moment and of homage to the Virgin.
The altar of the chapel was decorated with passion and artistic sense by the faithful who frequent the House, while benefactors, collaborators, teachers, students, workers in the Works, prepared food and sweets for the benefit of the Social Works.
Thousands of people participated in the various Marian moments, some starting at 4 in the morning with the “Rosary of Dawn” (Las Mañanitas a la Virgen), accompanying in procession with traditional songs the statue that granted so many miracles to Sr. Mary. Afterwards, Holy Mass was celebrated, and during the day there were continuous Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, and Confessions. The faithful were also able to drink and draw with great faith “the water of the Virgin” which Mary granted to Sr. Maria Romero to perform miracles. The day ended with the typical music of the “Mariachis” and with fireworks.
Everything was experienced as a single and intense expression of love for Mary Help of Christians and in communion, in the Salesian Family Spirit, as Blessed Maria Romero had confided to her friend Sr. Anita Cavallini:
“You don’t know what I feel when I think of the greatness of the Blessed Virgin, who is “Mother of God”, there cannot be anything greater. I feel happy when I see the chapel full of people who come to Her. They pray to Her, sing to Her, praise Her, thank Her. They are all people who have received favors from Our Lady. Everyone receives Communion; in everyone there is faith and love. This devotion to my Queen leads them to Jesus Christ”.
Video of the origin of the Feast in San Josè House
Nuestra Madre nos reúne y alienta a seguir a Jesús.
En la Casa de la Virgen se vive el Espíritu Salesiano, el amor a Jesús y María traducido en amor al prójimo, herencia de la Beata Sor María Romero.
Gracias Hermanas FMA por su misión de mantener vivo el legado de don Bosco y de Sor María.