A Biblical Understanding of Mary's Title as Help of Christians

Abstract

In the Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI stressed the link between the study on the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Word of God. The same goes for grounding the different devotions to the Mother of God from the Sacred Scriptures as laid down in Pope Paul VI's Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus. The correct ordering of devotion to the Mother of God should have a Biblical Imprint as one of the guidelines as the Sacred Scriptures is the primary source of knowledge and reference on the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of Mary’s invoked titles is as Help of Christians. Her children are impelled to confidently share their hopes, sorrows, and joys, commending themselves to her, a loving mother who is ready to listen and respond to their heart's content. Through her role as Mother of God and of All that she guides every faithful to her Son, Jesus, to have an intimate encounter with Him, the Word made Flesh that was made possible through her cooperation. In this paper, the writer seeks to address: How is Mary the Help of Christians in the Sacred Scriptures? In presenting the said theme, the following parts are discussed: first, History of Mary's title as Help of Christians by tracing into its origin; second, Mary in the Bible by discussing the importance of the Sacred Scriptures in understanding the Mother of God; and third, Mary, Help of Christians in the Bible by looking into the different text especially on John's account of the Wedding at Cana in relating to the said Marian title. This paper hopes to lead the faithful to a fruitful spiritual life and an advancement on the Theological and Biblical studies.