Marian Helper Winter 2015-2016

32 M arian H elper • W inter 2015-16 •  marian.org From Our ARCHIVES F ile this one under “The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same.” As we look ahead to the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy c alled by Pope Francis, which begins Dec. 8, we find it intriguing to look back at another Jubilee Year. In the cover story of the January 1950 issue of the Marian Helpers Bulletin (the pre- cursor o f Marian Helper magazine), the Marian Fathers featured the Church’s 25 th Jubilee Year, called by Venerable Pope Pius XII, which began on Christmas Eve 1949. In reflecting on the his- torical nature of the Jubilee Year, the Marian Fathers posed a fundamental chal- lenge to themselves and to our Marian Helpers to live authentic Christian lives. Together, let’s vow to take up this challenge once again, shall we? Here’s an excerpt from the cover story: T here is no mistaking the issue. Human efforts have failed to restore peace to the world because men have not made their peace with God. These are crucial days in which the world finds itself, scarcely having survived the brutal flagellation of a ter- rible war and already facing a dark and critical future. All of us are urged during this Holy Year to abandon sin, and in sorrow and repentance taste true spiritual joy. All of us are exhorted to counteract the “spirit of the revolution” by the “revolution of the spirit.” All of us are implored to pray fervently and frequently for all peoples that by contrition and humil- ity they may find peace with God and by real charity find peace with their neighbor. … Whoever you are dear friend, take to heart this urgent call of the Holy Father. Much depends on your own participation in the spiritual rebirth that will save the world. Your simple, fervent and oft-repeated prayers and your countless good deeds multiplied millions of times the world over will rise like a pleasing sacrifice to God. MH