In a typical year, the Salesian Family of the New York area celebrates the feast of Mary Help of Christians on a Saturday close to her feastday, May 24, at the Marian Shrine in Haverstraw, N.Y. That includes Mass, inspirational talks, opportunity for Reconciliation, a Rosary procession, and finally the crowning of the great statue of the Virgin Mary (designed by Lumen Winter), with the cooperation of the Stony Point Volunteer Fire Department. For 2019, see https://sdbnews.blogspot.com/2019/05/salesian-family-celebrates-marian-day.html
During this year of the Covid-19 pandemic, such an external celebration isn't possible. The Marian Day planning commission came up with various ways to celebrate in families and religious communities. See https://www.marysmonth2020.org/
At the provincial house we decided to do a special crowning of the statue of the Help of Christians on our front lawn--not something we've done within my memory (since 1986). Well, the statue wasn't even there that far back (it was brought here from Ipswich, Mass., after our retreat house in that lovely old town was closed).
So last Sunday, May 17, our whole community of 13 SDBs gathered on the lawn at 4:45 p.m. and very simply placed a floral wreath (of plastic) around the Madonna's head. It was a bit tricky working around the marble crown that's already part of the statue itself. Fr. Paul Chu, our youngest (and most agile?) member, was appointed to go up the step ladder and do the job. Then we concluded by singing "Hail, Holy Queen" and went indoors for our regular Sunday ritual of Evening Prayer (Vespers).
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| Photo by Fr. Dennis Donovan |
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