Our Lady of Perpetual Help

History, Tradition, and Interpretation

    Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is called Our Lady of Perpetual Help because she prays for and helps all the children of God, especially those who ask for her assistance. The icon honoring her under this title was painted in the 14th or 15th century in Crete by an unknown artist.

    It was stolen out of a local church and taken to Rome by a merchant. Our Lady appeared in a dream to the six year old daughter of the family who had the icon, telling what church in Rome the picture of ‘Holy Mary of Perpetual Help’ should be placed. It was venerated there for the next 300 years until the church was torn down. It is now in the church that was built on the same site, St Alphonsus Liguori.

    An icon, from the Greek word ‘eokon’ meaning ‘image’, is a painting on wood, of Christ, Mary, or a Saint, that has been painted to specific norms. It is more than a simple representation. An icon makes present that which it remembers.  It is a meeting point between God and the reality of Man. An icon is an object of meditation.

    In this icon, Mary is depicted holding her Divine Son, a child of two or three, in her left hand while He claps her other hand with His. The angels Michael and Gabriel appear before them, carrying the instruments of the Passion of Jesus. Gabriel has the cross and four nails. Michael has the lance, pole with a sponge, and a jar containing vinegar.

    With anguish, the child gazes on the signs of His future suffering and death.  To indicate the child startled with fear, the artist paints His sandal falling from His foot.  In Greek characters are the abbreviated names of the four figures in the icon: Jesus, Mary, the angels Michael and Gabriel. The icon is a portrayal of the Passion of Jesus.  Mary is His mother who will stand by him in this mystery.

    The title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help signifies Mary’s readiness to stand by all those who suffer. In the holy icon, she is pictured with her face turned, not to Jesus, but to all those who gaze on the picture.  Even though she is deeply saddened by the vision of the instruments of Jesus’ passion, she turns with symphony to all her children of the earth.

    We believe that she turns to all of us when we call on her in our troubles and sorrows.  Her care never ends: it is a perpetual care. For centuries the picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help has inspired a deep devotion among Christians everywhere. Today, Mary, the mother of Jesus, still offers us her help and her love.  Her feast day is June 27th.  Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us!