OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR
Feast Day June 27
"He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name." (St. Luke 1:49)
Some say this Icon (its style is Byzantine) was painted by St. Luke, the Evangelist. Only in Heaven will we know for sure; but for many years it was venerated in a Roman church, where many favors and miracles were obtained.
In 1812, the French Army took possession of Rome and the picture; and it disappeared for about forty years until it was discovered by the Redemptorists. On April 26, 1866, St. Alphonsus Liguori brought it to his church where Blessed Pius IX himself was one of the first to visit the Image at its new home. In 1867, he had it solemnly crowned and about ten years later granted a proper Mass and Office for the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, translated Our Lady of Perpetual Help, as the picture was then and has ever since been called.
Lets take a close look at this miraculous Image. Notice Her eyes--entreating, even begging us to come to Her in all our miseries. In the "Hail Holy Queen" prayer we are always asking Our Lady to "turn thine eyes of mercy towards us"! In Mary's eyes we see so much--Her desire to help us, Her desire that we come to Her and ask for help. We see Her pity for our needs of body and soul. Those eyes draw us to Her!
Notice the small lips to show that Mary spoke very little, and yet, when She did speak, She spoke wisely and kindly. And most of Her speech was directed to God. "He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name." (St. Luke 1:49) These words are from the Magnificat, the song Our Lady sang in glorifying the Lord who had done so much for Her.
At the top of the painting, on either side, are four large Greek letters M P O U, which means Mother of God. Over the Child there are four small letters I C X C, which means Jesus Christ. The Greek letters over the angel, who holds a spear and a reed with a sponge on it, instruments of the passion, show that it is the Archangel Michael. The other angel with the cross and the nails is the Archangel Gabriel.
The Divine Child is represented as holding a vision of His passion. In fact, He is staring at the cross, which He embraced all His short life! Notice the sandal slipping off His right foot; there is an ancient tradition that tells us what this signifies, that upon seeing the cross, the Child Jesus ran so fast to His Mother's arms that one of His sandals came loose.
Notice Jesus clasping Mary's hand, teaching us to go to Her in every need, spiritual and temporal. Our Lady's right hand is reaching out to Her children. Mother Mary is always there with Her perpetually helping hand, with the grace and power God gave Her, even miracles.
Yes, Our Lord gives us a divine example, to do what He did, put our hand into the hand of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Amen.
Roman Deacon
In 1812, the French Army took possession of Rome and the picture; and it disappeared for about forty years until it was discovered by the Redemptorists. On April 26, 1866, St. Alphonsus Liguori brought it to his church where Blessed Pius IX himself was one of the first to visit the Image at its new home. In 1867, he had it solemnly crowned and about ten years later granted a proper Mass and Office for the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour, translated Our Lady of Perpetual Help, as the picture was then and has ever since been called.
Lets take a close look at this miraculous Image. Notice Her eyes--entreating, even begging us to come to Her in all our miseries. In the "Hail Holy Queen" prayer we are always asking Our Lady to "turn thine eyes of mercy towards us"! In Mary's eyes we see so much--Her desire to help us, Her desire that we come to Her and ask for help. We see Her pity for our needs of body and soul. Those eyes draw us to Her!
Notice the small lips to show that Mary spoke very little, and yet, when She did speak, She spoke wisely and kindly. And most of Her speech was directed to God. "He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name." (St. Luke 1:49) These words are from the Magnificat, the song Our Lady sang in glorifying the Lord who had done so much for Her.
At the top of the painting, on either side, are four large Greek letters M P O U, which means Mother of God. Over the Child there are four small letters I C X C, which means Jesus Christ. The Greek letters over the angel, who holds a spear and a reed with a sponge on it, instruments of the passion, show that it is the Archangel Michael. The other angel with the cross and the nails is the Archangel Gabriel.
The Divine Child is represented as holding a vision of His passion. In fact, He is staring at the cross, which He embraced all His short life! Notice the sandal slipping off His right foot; there is an ancient tradition that tells us what this signifies, that upon seeing the cross, the Child Jesus ran so fast to His Mother's arms that one of His sandals came loose.
Notice Jesus clasping Mary's hand, teaching us to go to Her in every need, spiritual and temporal. Our Lady's right hand is reaching out to Her children. Mother Mary is always there with Her perpetually helping hand, with the grace and power God gave Her, even miracles.
Yes, Our Lord gives us a divine example, to do what He did, put our hand into the hand of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Amen.
Roman Deacon
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