June 27 is the Feast Day
Our Mother of Perpetual of Help
Our Mother of Perpetual Help is one of the most well-known and loved images of the Blessed Mother for catholics. In the Philippines, the National Shrine of our Mother of Perpetual Help or commonly known as Baclaran Church has been a center of Marian devotion for many years now, with countless miracles and special graces attributed to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. The Icon is more than a work of art and shows the Christian mystery of Redemption. Each part of the Icon expresses profound theological meaning:
1. Star in Our Lady’s Veil - she is the "Star of the Sea" who brought the light of Christ into our darkened world. This star leads us to the safe port of Heaven.
2. Primary initials on either side of Our Lady's Crown - Greek initials for "Mother of God".
3. Initials above the angel on the left - Greek initials of St. Michael the Archangel.
4. St. Michael - holding the lance and gall-sop, foreshadowing Christ's Passion and death.
5. Our Lady's Blue Garment - symbolic that she is both Virgin and Mother.
6. Jesus' and Our Lady’s clothing - are colors of royalty.
7. Serene face of Our Lady - contemplative of Jesus' future sufferings.
8. Tiny mouth of Our Lady - silent for prayer and recollection, speaks little.
9. Large eyes of Our Lady - to see our troubles and needs and are always turned toward us.
10. Golden background - symbol of Heaven, where both Jesus and Mary are now enthroned; this Light of Heaven radiates through both of their clothing indicating the heavenly joy they bring to human hearts.
11. Initials above the angel on the right - Greek initials of St. Gabriel the Archangel.
12. St. Gabriel - holding the cross and the nails, foreshadowing Christ’s Passion and death.
13. Initials to the right of Jesus' head - Greek initials for "Jesus Christ".
14. Our Lady’s hands holding 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.
15. Jesus' hands are turned downward - a symbol that He is placing the Graces of Redemption in her hands. These Graces are available to any and to all who implore her for them through prayer.
16. Jesus' sandal falling from his foot - indicates 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 represents Christ's divine nature, untied from the bounds of earth. The secure sandal is symbolic of His human nature.
Just as the Child Jesus fled into the arms of His Mother when he was frightened, so too, do we flee into the arms of our Blessed Mother with child-like confidence whenever fear envelopes our hearts. We can always come to her in our time of need...
PRAYER
Oh Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your powerful name, the protection of the living and the salvation of the dying. Purest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, Blessed Lady, to rescue me whenever I call on you. In my temptations, in my needs, I will never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary. What a consolation, what sweetness, what confidence fills my soul when I utter your sacred name or even only think of you! I thank the Lord for having given you to us, so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely uttering your name. Let my love for you, prompt me ever to hail you Mother of Perpetual Help.
Oh Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for me and grant me the favor I confidently ask of you. {Mention your petition. Let us also unite our intentions to request Our Mother of Perpetual Help to pray to God, the Father of mercies, to end this pandemic.} Amen!
Hail Mary...(3 times)
(References: ourladyofperpetualhelparish.com and ourcatholicprayers.com)
Our beloved Mother of Perpetual Help, be a mother to us now and always. Please pray for us and the whole world. Amen!
SHARE TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
No comments:
Post a Comment