THE GREEK LETTERS on either side of Our Lady's Crown (MP QY)  are a shortened form of the Greek words for "MOTHER OF GOD" .

THERE IS A STAR on Our Lady's veil.   She is the Star of the Sea...who brought the light of Christ to the darkened world...She is the star that leads us to the safe port of heaven.

THE GOLDEN CROWN placed on the original picture by order of the Holy See in 1867 is a token of the many miracles wrought by Our Lady invoked under the title of "Perpetual Help".

THE GREEK LETTER for the Archangel Michael is above the angel on the left hand side of the icon.  He is depicted holding the lance and gall-sop of Christ's Passion.

THE GREEK INITIAL for the Archangel Gabriel is above the angel on the right hand side of the icon.  He holds the Cross and the nails.

MARY'S EYES are large for all our troubles - they are turned towards us always.

THE RED TUNIC is the colour worn by virgins at the time of Christ.

THE DARK BLUE MANTLE is the colour worn by mothers in Palestine -   Mary is both Virgin and Mother.

THE GREEK LETTERS beside the Child Jesus stand for "Jesus Christ".

CHRIST'S HANDS are turned palms downwards into His Mother's for safety indicating that the Grace's of Redemption are in Her keeping.

MARY'S LEFT HAND is holding Her Child in a supportive and protective way but while she cares for him her eyes are on us.  It is a comforting hand for everyone who calls on Her.

THE FALLING SANDAL..the child Jesus appears fearful clasping His mother and looking in a frightened manner at the instruments of the passion. The loosened sandal indicates that His trembling has shaken the clasp from it.

THE ENTIRE BACKGROUND is golden, symbolic of heaven, where Jesus and Mary are now enthroned.  The gold also shines through their clothing, showing the heavenly joy They can bring to tired human hearts.
 

The picture was painted in watercolour on hard nutwood measuring 17 by 21 inches. The original picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is one of many copies of the famed Hodegetria of St Luke ; It is the only copy however which was singled out by Our Lady herself for heavenly favours. Today it is enshrined above the main altar of the Redemptorist Church of San Alfonso in Rome. Just how the picture reached this place of honour is an interesting story.

Toward the end of the 15th century, an avaricious merchant stole the picture from a small church on the island of Crete. After weathering a rough sea voyage, he made his way to Rome. Subsequently, on his deathbed, he remorsefully confided the picture to a Roman friend and begged him to place it in a church where it might be properly venerated.  The friend neglected to do this for him.

The Blessed Virgin then appeared to the Roman urging him to keep his promise.  She even threatened him with death if he disobeyed. At his wife's insistence the man paid little attention to the apparition. Shortly afterwards he suffered an untimely death.

Our Lady appeared next to his six year old daughter and said: "Go, tell your mother and grandmother that HOLY MARY OF PERPETUAL HELP commands them to take this picture out of their house."

The little girl took the message to her mother who, in turn, was dissuaded by a neighbour from believing it.

Our Lady appeared to the girl again and this time signified where the picture was to be placed - namely, in the church "between the basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran". The mother at long last obeyed. On March 27th, 1499, the picture was carried in solemn procession to the Church of St. Matthew. For the next 300 years it was venerated there and was renowned for miracles associated with it.

In 1798 the army of Napoleon made its destructive march into Rome. The Church of St. Matthew was one of many churches which it levelled to the ground. Fortunately, the picture was rescued and brought to a monastery chapel for safe keeping. There is remained almost forgotten, for the next sixty four years.

The Redemptorist Fathers in Rome learned that their present church had been built on the ruins of the old St. Matthew's where the miraculous picture of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help was once enshrined. It was not until the following year that they heard of Our Lady's wish that her picture be enshrined on the site where their church now stood. On April 26, 1866 it was returned to the spot, now the Church of San Alfonso by order of papal decree. The picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help remains enshrined in the Church of San Alfonso today. You are encouraged to visit the website of San Alfonso's from the links in this site.

 

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