Behold, O Mother of Perpetual Help, at thy feet a wretched sinner, who has recourse to thee and trusts in thee. O Mother of mercy, have pity on me; I hear all men call thee the refuge and hope of sinners: be therefore my refuge and my hope. Help me for the love of Jesus Christ: hold out thy hand to a fallen wretch, who commends himself to thee and dedicates himself to be thy servant forever. I praise and thank God, who of His great mercy hath given me this confidence in thee, a sure pledge of my eternal salvation. Alas, it is only too true that in the past I have fallen miserably, because I did not come to thee. I know that with thy help I shall conquer; I know that thou wilt help me, if I commend myself to thee; but I am fearful lest in the occasions of sin I shall forget to call upon thee and so I shall be lost. This grace, then, do I ask of thee; for this I implore thee, as much as I can and know how to do; namely, that in the assaults of hell I may ever run to thy protection and may say to thee: Mary, help me; Mother of Perpetual Help, permit me not to lose my God.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant me ever to be able to call upon thy powerful name, since thy name is the help of the living and the salvation of the dying. Ah, Mary most pure, Mary most sweet, grant that thy name from this day forth may be to me the very breath of life. Dear Lady, delay not to come to my assistance whenever I call upon thee; for in all the temptations that assail me, in all the necessities that befall me, I will never leave off calling upon thee, ever repeating: Mary, Mary. What comfort, what sweetness, what confidence, what tenderness fills my soul at the sound of thy name, at the very thought of thee! I give thanks to our Lord, who for my sake hath given thee a name so sweet, so lovable, so mighty. But I am not content merely to speak thy name; I would utter it for very love of thee; it is my desire that love should ever remind me to name thee, Mother of Perpetual Help.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

O Mother of Perpetual Help, thou art the dispenser of every grace that God grants us in our misery; it is for this cause that He hath made thee so powerful, so rich, so kind, that thou mightest assist us in our miseries. Thou art the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners, if they but come unto thee; come once more to my assistance, for I commend myself to thee. In thy hands I place my eternal salvation; to thee I entrust my soul. Enroll me among thy most faithful servants; take me under thy protection and it is enough for me: yes, for if thou protect me, I shall fear nothing; not my sins, for thou wilt obtain for me their pardon and remission; not the evil spirits, for thou art mightier than all the powers of hell; not even Jesus, my Judge, for He is appeased by a single prayer from thee. I fear only that through my own negligence I may forget to recommend myself to thee and so I shall be lost. My dear Lady, obtain for me the forgiveness of my sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance and the grace to have recourse to thee at all times, O Mother of Perpetual Help.

Hail Mary…

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Homily #140910bs ( 08min) Play – Archbishop Joseph Tobin of Indianapolis gives the homily at a special Mass for his visit to our Sacred Heart Chapel here in Bloomington, IN. He gives the history of the devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the worldwide acceptance of it, and the connection with his own order, the Redemptorists.

Ave Maria!

Readings:
1st: rev 12:1-6, 10
Resp: psm 71:1-4, 5, 12
Gsp: joh 19:25, 27

Audio (MP3)

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An icon is not simply an artistic representation. Once it is blessed, it becomes a window to heaven, a point of contact, “so that in praying before it, one is in the spiritual presence of the person represented. Reverently kissing the icon, one kisses the personage; bowing before it, one bows before the personage”   June 27th is the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

 Our Lady’s Golden Crown was placed on the icon by order of the Vatican in 1867; it is a symbol of the many miracles performed by Our Lady while invoked under the title of “Our Lady of Perpetual Help”.  The child Jesus’ crown was also placed on the original icon by order of the Holy See in 1867. The star in the center of Mary’s Veil is indicative that she is the “Star of the Sea” who bore the light of Christ into our darkened world.  This star leads us to the safe port of Heaven.

The primary initials on either side of Our Lady’s Crown are the Greek initials for “Mother of God” The initials above the angel on the left are the Greek initials of St. Michael the Archangel The angel on the left, St. Michael, is depicted holding the lance and gall-sop, foreshadowing Christ’s Passion and death. Our Lady’s Blue Garment is the color worn by mother’s in Palestine, symbolic that Mary is both Virgin and Mother. Mary’s red tunic underneath is the color worn by Virgins during the time of Jesus.

Both Mary and Jesus’ Clothing are colors of royalty. Our Lady’s face is peaceful, serene, and contemplative of her son Jesus’ future sufferings. Our Lady’s mouth is tiny and silent for prayer, meditation and recollection. Mary’s eyes are large to see our troubles and needs; they are always turned toward us.  They also tenderly plead for us to avoid sin and remain faithful to and love her son, Jesus. 

The entire golden background is a symbol of Heaven, where both Jesus and Mary are now enthroned; this Light of Heaven radiates through both of their clothing: an indication of the heavenly joy they bring to human hearts. 

The initials above the angel on the right are the Greek initials of St. Gabriel the Archangel. The angel on the right, St. Gabriel, holds the cross and the nails, foreshadowing of His Passion and death. The hands of the angels are covered in a veil much like that which the priest holds while blessing with the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance during Benediction.

The initials to the right of Jesus’ head are the Greek initials for “Jesus Christ”. The child Jesus is depicted not as an infant, but as a “miniature adult”, signifying Christ’s divinity and His humanity.  Mary’s hands hold the child Jesus possessively and lovingly, because she is his Mother.  She, too, is our loving Mother.  Her hand does not clutch the hands of Jesus’ tightly, but remains open, inviting us to her son, Jesus. Jesus’ hands are turned downward, a symbol of His placing the Graces of Redemption in her hands.  These Graces are available to any and to all who implore her for them through prayer.

Jesus’ sandal falling from his foot is indicative of the haste with which he has run to her in fear, gazing at the angels who hold the instruments of his Passion and death.   The loose sandal also represents Christ’s divine nature, untied from the bounds of earth.  The sandal that remains secure is symbolic of His human nature.

Explanation from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish

http://ourladyofperpetualhelpparish.weebly.com/the-meanings-behind-the-our-lady-of-perpetual-help-icon.html

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Homily #150627b ( 11min) Play – Fr. Elias gives us his thoughts on yesterday’s Supreme Court  decision to approve same sex marriage and that the sowing of these seeds will germinate into persecution for Practicing Christians
Ave Maria!
Mass: Saturday 12th Week of Ordinary Time – Wkdy – Form: OF
Readings: 
1st: gen 18:1-15
Resp: luk 1:46-47, 48-49, 50, 53, 54-55
Gsp: mat 8:5-17

Audio (MP3)

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The post Jun 27 – Homily – Fr Elias: “O.L. of Perpetual Help, Help Our Nation” first appeared on AirMaria.com.