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Our Lady of Perpetual
Help
Feast Day June 27
Patron of Children, Parents, and
Sinners
Let us remember that Our Lady, in
each of her many images, is always ready to help us and those we love.
Those who turn her find that she will always lead us to Jesus, just as she
carried Him to us in her womb. We can trust that when we ask her, she will
carry our prayers to the feet of her Son. |
Who
is
Our Lady of Perpetual Help?
The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual
Help, traditionally considered a copy of a painting by St Luke, was painted in
the East and brought to Rome where, for 300 years, pilgrims came to pray before
the picture, because everyone loved its simplicity, its beauty and its truth.
When Napoleon was desecrating Churches in Rome, the picture was hidden. When
rediscovered in 1862, the Redemptorist Order was given charge over it and it is
kept in Rome. Thus, a simple and innocent symbol teaches us that our Lady is our
help in all things, and our help at all times. She is the greatest intercessor
we have to approach her Son Jesus on our behalf.
The Message of the
Icon
of Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The
child Jesus has just seen the angels who have shown him the instruments of his
passion. St. Michael the Archangel holds the lance and gall-sop. St. Gabriel
the Archangel holds the Cross and the nails. Frightened by the sight, Jesus has
run to his mother’s arms so quickly that he almost lost one of His tiny
sandals. It dangles from his foot. Mary holds Him lovingly but her eyes look
at us - pleading with us to avoid sin and love Her Son.
His hands are
in hers to show that, as a child, Jesus placed Himself in Mary’s hands for
protection and to remind us that He now has placed into Her hands all graces, to
be given to those who turn to His mother and ask.
The star on
Mary’s veil shows her to be the one who brought the light of Christ to the
darkened world - the beacon that leads the way to Heaven.
The falling
sandal symbolizes a soul clinging to Christ by one last thread--devotion to
Mary.
The golden
background is symbolic of Heaven and shines to show the heavenly joy Jesus and
His mother can bring to tired human hearts.
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Prayer
Mother of Perpetual Help,
you have been blessed and favored by God. You became not only the Mother of the
Redeemer, but Mother of the redeemed as well. We come to you today as your
loving children. Watch over us and take care of us. As you held the Child Jesus
in your loving arms, so take us in your arms. Be a mother ready at every moment
to help us. For God who is mighty has done great things for you, and God's
mercy is from age to age on those who love God. Intercede for us, dear Mother,
in obtaining pardon for our sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance, and the
grace always to call upon you, Mother of Perpetual Help.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help,
pray for us.
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