The National Marian Mantle Group


"Do whatever He tells you."   Jn 2:5


Home    About Us    Contact Us    Catalog    Guestbook    Join the Online Prayer Group    Prayer Menu    Make a Gift
Our Lady of Siluva    Article and Resource Library    "Silent Strength" Brochure    Site Map

 

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.

 

    

 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.