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 between the 14th and 15th century in Crete by an unknown artist. Now it is enshrined in the Church of St. Alphonsus Ligouri in Rome.
Mary is depicted holding her Divine Son, a child of two or three, in her left hand, while he clasps her other hand in his. The archangels Michael and Gabriel appear before them, carrying the instruments of the Passion of Jesus. With anguish the child gazes on the signs of his future suffering and death. To indicate the child startled with fear, the artist painted his sandal falling from his foot. In Greek characters are the abbreviated names of the four figures in the icon, Jesus Christ, 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 Jesus’ eventual Passion, she turns with sympathy to all the children of the earth.
We believe 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 Christians everywhere. Today Mary, the Mother of Jesus, still offers us her help and her love by praying with us to her Son.
Let us pray,
+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come to my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of all good gifts,
I come before You to honor You in Your saints and to ask their help in my needs.
You promised those who ask would receive. Those who seek would find. Those who knock would have doors open to them. Hear the prayers of Your church. Grant my requests (mention your request here) and pardon my sins.
Amen.
Mary is depicted holding her Divine Son, a child of two or three, in her left hand, while he clasps her other hand in his. The archangels Michael and Gabriel appear before them, carrying the instruments of the Passion of Jesus. With anguish the child gazes on the signs of his future suffering and death. To indicate the child startled with fear, the artist painted his sandal falling from his foot. In Greek characters are the abbreviated names of the four figures in the icon, Jesus Christ, 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 Jesus’ eventual Passion, she turns with sympathy to all the children of the earth.
We believe 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 Christians everywhere. Today Mary, the Mother of Jesus, still offers us her help and her love by praying with us to her Son.
Let us pray,
+In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Come to my aid, O God.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of all good gifts,
I come before You to honor You in Your saints and to ask their help in my needs.
You promised those who ask would receive. Those who seek would find. Those who knock would have doors open to them. Hear the prayers of Your church. Grant my requests (mention your request here) and pardon my sins.
Amen.
Mary, Mother of Jesus, you were no stranger to suffering for you stood at the foot of the cross of Jesus your Son. And in that hour of total darkness, when your heart was pierced by the terrifying sight of your Son dying in agony, you entered into His suffering and made it your own.
Through your union with Jesus, give us new courage and hope before total darkness and despair. I come seeking your help and ask you to obtain my request (mention your request here). Grant us the grace to unite our sufferings with Jesus.
Loving Mother of our Redeemer, assist your people who cry out to you for help in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be)
Through your union with Jesus, give us new courage and hope before total darkness and despair. I come seeking your help and ask you to obtain my request (mention your request here). Grant us the grace to unite our sufferings with Jesus.
Loving Mother of our Redeemer, assist your people who cry out to you for help in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be)
L: We sinners call to you,
R: Loving mother help us!
L: Our Mother of Perpetual Help
R: Pray for us!
R: Loving mother help us!
L: Our Mother of Perpetual Help
R: Pray for us!
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