(ANS – Rome) – The tradition of the Worldwide Novena to Mary Help of Christians is being renewed once again in 2026. This audiovisual project, made up of nine videos, is presented by the Salesian Congregation’s Social Communications Sector to all members of the Salesian Family and, more broadly, to devotees of Mary under this title so loved and promoted by Don Bosco. “Mary, You Are Our Help” is the theme guiding this year’s edition.
“Do whatever He tells you.” The key phrase of this year’s Strenna reflects Mary’s care for humanity: a reminder, a comfort, and a source of help in every moment of life. Whether we are sad or joyful, offering thanks or experiencing despair, asking for a favor or seeking strength to face situations beyond our abilities, Mary remains a mother who stays close to us and listens. Yet her listening is never passive. She does not simply receive our trust—she guides us toward a future filled with joy.
The 2026 World Novena to Mary Help of Christians highlights Mary’s presence in everyday life through real stories in which we can recognize ourselves, share our own experiences, and discover words of comfort, help, and love.
Nine stories, nine protagonists, nine lives. One mother. And always the same love.
The stories include:
- those giving thanks at the end of their lives
- a father unable to communicate with his son
- a youth minister supporting a young person on probation
- an evening school teacher working with war refugees
- a wife struggling to help her husband after he loses his job
- a young Salesian seeking to connect with teenagers
- a girl unsure how to help a friend suffering from abuse
- a boy facing cyberbullying
- a family enduring the suffering of a terminally ill mother
Each story is accompanied by one of Mary’s titles, introducing the day’s theme:
- Mary, Mother of Presence
- Mary, Mother of Solitude
- Mary, Mother of Wayward Children
- Mary, Mother of Hope
- Mary, Mother of Uncertainty
- Mary, Mother of the Whispered Word
- Mary, Mother of Love
- Mary, Mother of Fragility
- Mary, Mother of Suffering
The structure for each day includes:
- Presentation of the theme
- An introductory Bible verse related to the day’s theme
- A biographical story presented in cartoon format
- Commentary by the Rector Major
- A question for reflection
- A prayer connected to the theme and to the life of Don Bosco
- The closing prayer: “Do whatever He tells you”
The videos will be available in Italian, English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese on the various language channels of ANSChannel and on TELEGRAM SDB.ORG. Each video will be released one day in advance. Since the novena officially begins on May 15, the first videos will be published on May 14. The English-language videos will be released an additional day earlier to assist devotees in English-speaking regions of Oceania and Asia, beginning on May 13.
In the days leading up to the start of the novena, a booklet containing all of the texts will also be made available.
The trailer for the 2026 World Novena to Mary Help of Christians is now available on ANSChannel.
All materials for the novena will be made available here as they are published.