The city of Shanghai, located on the east coast of China, was an important access point to the Yangzi River Valley.

Gu Zhen Sheng, promised the Blessed Virgin that if the diocese was spared from attack, he would build a basilica in thanksgiving for Our Lady's special protection.

The new image features the stand-erect Blessed Virgin Mary carrying a Child Jesus on her head, while his arms outstretched in a cruciform gesture.

[3] In 2008, a copy of the statue was given to Pope Benedict XVI, who then invoked the Marian title through his Prayer to Our Lady of Sheshan.

The pontiff requested that the prayer be recited more devoutly on May 24, the feast of Mary Help of Christians to whom the Basilica of Sheshan holds under Marian patronage.

In May 2007, Pope Benedict XVI released a Letter to Chinese Catholics, in which he asked that May 24 each year be celebrated as a World Day of Prayer for the Church in China.