Marian Anniversaries

June 9

Maria Ausiliatrice, Turin, Italy

In English, this Marian title is usually given as "Mary Help of Christians." To her St. John Bosco dedicated an immense sanctuary in Turin at the headquarters of his Salesian movement, based on the spiritual teachings of St. Francis de Sales and dedicated to the care of youth. On April 27, 1865, its cornerstone was laid in the presence of Prince Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of Aosta, son of Victor Emmanuel II, and on September 23, 1866, the last brick closed the 62'-wide cupola. While the interior work continued, in May 1867 the 13' statue of the Madonna was set on the cupola, and finally, June 9, 1868, the solemn consecration took place. Inside, in a niche on the cornerstone, is a statue of Mary the Helper carried annually in procession through the streets of Turin on the evening of May 24, the Roman Catholic feast day of Mary Help of Christians. (Information from "Chiesa Maria Ausiliatrice - Torino," www.mollyweb.it. Picture of processional statue from shrine's site, Salesiani Don Bosco, www.donbosco-torino.it.)

Also celebrated this date:

	Notre Dame de Livron, Caylus, Tarn-et-Garonne, Midi-Pyrénées, France. Statue crowned, 1878. Pilgrimage September 8.
	Madonna della Salute, Milan, Italy (Madonna of Health). Icon crowned, 1946.
	Madonna della Pace, Menaggio, Como, Lombardy, Italy, Nobiallo district. Marble relief wept, 1658.
	Madonna della Fonte Nuova, Monsummano Terme, Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy. Apparition, 1573.
	Verge del Claustre, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain. Statue crowned, 1911; fiesta second Sunday in November.