The Origins and Meaning of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
In times of joy and sorrow, people seek solace and guidance in their faith. One figure who holds a special place in the hearts of many believers is Our Mother of Perpetual Help. This beloved image of the Virgin Mary has been a symbol of hope, compassion, and steadfast love for centuries. Behind this cherished icon lies a story woven with faith, miracles, and deep devotion. In this article, we will reflect on the meaning of this sacred image, explore its remarkable history, and discover how it continues to touch hearts and transform lives today.
The origins of the history Our Mother of Perpetual help
The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is believed to have originated on the island of Crete, dating from around the 15th century. While its exact origin remains uncertain, many scholars attribute it to the Cretan School of Byzantine art. Some have even suggested the name Andreas Ritzos, a prominent painter of that era, though no documentary evidence confirms his authorship.
According to tradition, a merchant took the icon from a local church in Crete, hid it among his belongings, and set sail for the West. During the voyage, a violent storm arose. In desperation, the merchant held up the image and prayed to Our Lady, after which the sea miraculously calmed, allowing him to reach Rome safely.
Once in Rome, the merchant fell seriously ill and sought the help of a friend. Before dying, he revealed the secret of the sacred image and begged his friend to place it in a church. The friend promised to do so but also died without fulfilling that promise.
Finally, the Blessed Virgin appeared to a six-year-old girl from a Roman family, instructing her to tell her mother and grandmother that the image should be known under the title “Our Mother of Perpetual Help” and placed in the Church of St. Matthew the Apostle, located between the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. After much hesitation, the mother obeyed, and, in consultation with the clergy of that church, the image was enthroned in St. Matthew’s on March 27, 1499.
It is known that Cardinal Francesco Nerli Jr. (1636–1708) promoted devotion to the icon and recognized its growing reputation for miracles. It is believed that in 1708 he may have described it as Miraculorum Gloria Insignis—“illustrious with the glory of miracles”—though no official documentation confirms this. The phrase reflects the popular veneration and acknowledgment of the miracles attributed to the Virgin’s intercession.
In 1798, nearly a century later, Napoleon’s forces destroyed many churches in Rome, including St. Matthew’s. An Augustinian priest secretly saved the icon and later placed it in an Augustinian chapel in Posterula.
After Napoleon’s fall, in 1855, the Redemptorists (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer) built the Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori on the site of the old St. Matthew’s. During their research, they discovered that the miraculous icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help had once been venerated there and that the Augustinians still possessed it. A Jesuit priest also affirmed that the Virgin wished to be honored again in that same place.
The Superior of the Redemptorists appealed to Pope Pius IX, who in 1866 ordered that the painting be returned to the church between St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. The Pope also entrusted the icon to the Redemptorists, instructing them to “make her known throughout the world.”
When the Augustinians learned of the Pope’s decision, they willingly returned the image, honoring the Virgin’s request.
Following this event, the Church established June 27 as the feast day of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Although the image had originally been enthroned on March 27, 1499, the new date was chosen to commemorate the restoration of the icon’s public veneration and the missionary charge given to the Redemptorists by Pope Pius IX. Since then, June 27 has become a day of worldwide devotion to Our Lady under this beloved title.
Thanks to the tireless work of missionaries and the faithful, and more than 150 years after Pope Pius IX’s decree, the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help has become one of the most widely recognized and venerated Marian icons—a powerful testament to faith, unity, and the enduring love of the Virgin Mary.
The Meaning of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
The icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help portrays Mary, the Mother of God — a pure woman with her child and their passion — tenderly holding the Child Jesus. Above them, the archangels Gabriel and Michael present the instruments of Christ’s future Passion: the cross, nails, lance, and sponge. Upon contemplating this dramatic vision, the Child, in His human condition, becomes frightened and trembles, seeking solace in the arms of His Mother, whose hand He clings to tightly.
The colors, gestures, and elements within the image convey deep spiritual truths and visually represent the divine love and mercy she embodies. Mary’s pointing hand, her direct gaze toward the viewer, and the rich symbolic colors express her role as our compassionate mother and intercessor — a visible sign of divine love, mercy, and the mystery of redemption. The original icon is rendered in the flattened, formal style of Byzantine/Cretan iconography, and the principal inscriptions (MP‑ΘΥ for Mary, Mother of God and IC XC for Jesus Christ) are in Greek.
Prayer for the intercession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Meditating on the image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and contemplating her virtues allows individuals to deepen their spiritual connection. Reflections on her life and teachings offer insights into living a life rooted in faith, compassion, and service. A powerful prayer to always keep in mind in Our Mother of Perpetual Help is:
“O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke thy most powerful name, which is the safeguard of the living and the salvation of the dying.
O Purest Mary, O Sweetest Mary, let thy name henceforth be ever on my lips.
Delay not, O Blessed Lady, to help me whenever I call on thee, for, in all my needs, in all my temptations I shall never cease to call on thee, ever repeating thy sacred name, Mary, Mary.
O what consolation, what sweetness, what confidence, what emotion fill my soul when I pronounce thy sacred name, or even only think of thee.
I thank God for having given thee for my good, so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name.
But I will not be content with merely pronouncing thy name: let my love for thee prompt me ever to hail thee, Mother of Perpetual Help. Amen.”
Say 3 Hail Mary
Devotees of Our Mother of Perpetual Help turn to her in times of need, seeking her intercession for healing, protection, and guidance. The faithful believe that through her prayers, miracles can occur and burdens can be lifted.