In these trying times, we need all the help we can get. Fortunately, the entire Marian Family — Marian Fathers as well as Marian Helpers — are blessed with a great wealth of patron saints whom we can beseech for their intercession. All are members of the Communion of Saints specifically invited by the Congregation to help us all as we journey on the road home to Heaven, following the path laid out for us by the Marian charism and its three components: to profess, proclaim, and honor the mystery of the Immaculate Conception; to assist the dying and the Holy Souls in Purgatory; and to spread the Kingdom of God on earth, serving the Church where the need is greatest — all undertaken with a special emphasis on spreading the message of Divine Mercy in the modern world. First and Foremost: Our Lady The titular Patroness of the Congregation is, of course, the Immaculately Conceived Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church. The mystery of her Immaculate Conception (celebrated this year on Dec. 9, as Dec. 8 is the Second Sunday of Advent) has been, from the beginning of the Congregation more than 350 years ago, a particular sign, strength, and joy of the Marian vocation. The Congregation also honors past members who serve “as a model of the faithful fulfillment of the Marian vocation”: the Father Founder, St. Stanislaus Papczyński (feast day: May 18); the “Renovator,” Blessed George Matulaitis (feast day: Jan. 27); Blessed Martyrs Fr. Anthony Leszczewicz and Fr. George Kaszyra (feast day: June 12); and Venerable Servant of God Fr. Casimir Wyszyński. Fellow Patrons Then there are the “official” patron saints of the Congregation whom we should invoke and imitate in a special way: l Saint Michael the Archangel: Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as “one of the chief princes” (Dan 10:13) and leader of the forces of Heaven in their triumph over the powers of Satan and his followers. He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. Feast day: Sept. 29. l Saint Joseph: “Saint Joseph was never in the forefront. He was a man of prayer, who was a protector and a guardian, and he was a humble servant of God,” as the late Br. Fred Wells, MIC, put it. Feast days: March 19 (Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and May 1 (the Worker). l Saint Peter: “You are Peter,” Jesus said, “and upon this rock I will build my church” (Mt 16:18). When the Romans were going to crucify him, tradition tells us, St. Peter was too humble to be killed in the same way as his Lord, so he convinced them to crucify him upside down. Feast day: June 29. l Saint Paul: The son of a Roman citizen, Saul (as he was called until after his conversion) was sent to Jerusalem to By Chris Sparks Our Heavenly Helpers 16 Marian Helper • Winter 2024-25 • Marian.org
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