Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, our mother of perpetual help

also known as "Our Lady of Perpetual Help"

our-mother-of-perpetual-help, OMPH, Our Lady of Perpetual Help

How the image came about is unknown, however earliest documentation states the picture may have originated out of Crete.

The background gold is representative of their place heaven. The gold also shines through their clothing representing the joy they share from heaven.

Since this webpage was added I have found another excellent website about this image from the Redemptorists. Learn more Enter here

Also included is:

The following excerpt as an addition from the Byzantine Rite. A priest who is very familiar with the background of this Icon/Ikon forwarded this additional information..

MP OV are Greek initials for "Meter" or "Mater" "Theou" literally meaning "Mother of God." While we in the East usually refer to the Virgin using the term "Theotokos" ("She who gave birth to God" or literally, "God-birthgiver") all ikons use the Greek for "Mother of God."
The use of the title "Mother" is simply a form of endearment as we are the Virgin's children through the Incarnation.

The IC XC, are Greek initials for the name "Jesus Christ"...our Lord and God.

Either, "Our Mother" or "Our Lady" is appropriate for the ikon as all ikons bear MP OV but are usually called under the title of the ikon of "Our Lady" of Kazan or "Our Lady" of Mariapocs.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help is called "Our Lady of the Passion" in the Eastern Rite, most certainly because Archangels Michael and Gabriel (they have inscriptions near their heads bearing their names in the original ikon) present the instruments of the Lord's Passion and Death.

The original ikon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was painted on Crete and resided there probably until the late 1400's. The ikon in Rome at the Redemptorist's Church has been altered...crowns were added and some poor "coloring" was added in the 1800's.

Here is an Orthodox/Eastern Catholic ikon of the Our Lady of the Passion

If you look closely at the ikon of OLPH and all Eastern ikons of Our Lady, you will see that she bears three stars on her outer mantle and "mapharion" (veil). These are signs of her virginity, before the birth of the Lord, during His birth and forever after His birth.
The colors red and blue symbolize humanity (blood) and divinity (heavens) in ikons, in ikons of the Theotokos the red mantle shows that Our Lady clothed our Divine Lord in her humanity. It is from Mary that the Lord receives His humanity.
There is no coloration of the checks of the Lord or the Virgin, no embellishment of the halos or crowns painted on. The Archangels are carrying not only the cross but the instruments of the Passion (sponge and lance), as well as the pot that contained the vinegar.
It is believed that this image had as it's prototype one of many such ikons venerated on the Island of Crete. Many that are venerated there today are older than the one in Rome. This type of ikon is popular there, to this day copies are found in most churches on the Island. The ikon taken to Rome was simply one of many of this type on Crete. For this reason it has no embellishments or additions.

Thank you Father Philip

ICON ART Explained

The red larger symbols are abbreviated for the Greek words: The "Mother of God," and "Jesus Christ." Over the heads of the two archangels are the words "Michael" on the left and "Gabriel" on the right. The four main characters of the icon are explained according to Byzantine usage.

A master artist by the name of Andreas Rico de Candia who made many copies of the original in the 13th century, added a Greek quatrain describing the scene portrayed in the image. The explanation goes something like this:

The Christ child after seeing a vision or dream that frightened him flees to his mother's arms nearly losing his sandal in his haste. (my own interjections: could the sandals represent peace?)

He sees St. Michael and St. Gabriel coming toward him with the instruments of His future passion and death. A sharp lance, a dripping sponge of bitter gall, the horrific nails and the cross. He huddles close to his mother, his palms are down placing the grace's of redemption are in her keeping.

As for Our Lady, who like any mother pats his fears away. Her eyes always looking toward us, her hands turned upward to cradle and comfort for anyone who needs her help. Her sad look indicates that she too is thinking of the price her little son must one day pay for our redemption. She hold him over her heart. Her red tunic indicated virgins during at that time. Blue mantle (may appear purple in this image) worn by mothers. Representing both virgin and mother.

Crowns on image came later

The image was solemnly crowned by the Holy See 1867. In order to have such an honor three criteria must be met. It must be a picture approved by the church for public veneration, for miraculous interventions, and venerated for years. two crowns gold studded with jewels were placed on Mary and the Christ child Jesus.

The picture is enshrined in the church of San Alphonsus in Rome.

Want to know more about the icon, Redemptorists, or St. Alphonsus Liguori

Enter here