These words from the traditional prayer to Our Lady reflect the deep love and trust Catholics have placed in her over the centuries—especially under the beloved title of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
The Story Behind the Icon
The image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is one of the most well-known Marian icons in the Catholic world, especially in the Philippines. This icon, which originated in Crete and now resides in the Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori in Rome, depicts the Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus while two angels present the instruments of His Passion.
But what makes this image so powerful is not only its artistic beauty—but its spiritual message.
Mary is shown looking not at Jesus, but at us—her eyes filled with compassion, concern, and deep maternal love. She holds Jesus firmly, reminding us that just as she cared for Him, she also watches over us in all our fears, trials, and sufferings.
A Beloved Devotion in the Philippines
Filipino Catholics are particularly devoted to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Every Wednesday, churches across the country are filled with people praying the Perpetual Novena—a practice that began at Baclaran Church in ParaΓ±aque and has since spread nationwide.
Thousands flock to her shrine each week not only to ask for help but to thank her for answered prayers, healings, restored relationships, and countless blessings.
Why Wednesdays? Because Wednesday has traditionally been dedicated to St. Joseph and Our Lady in various local devotions. But in the Philippines, it has become "Baclaran Day"—a day uniquely hers.
Why She is Called “Perpetual Help”
The title "Perpetual Help" reminds us that Mary’s intercession doesn’t run out. She is not just our help sometimes, or when it’s convenient. She is our help always—in sickness and in health, in trials and joys, in fear and in peace.
She is the mother who is never too busy, never distracted, never forgets her children.
When we cannot find the strength to pray, she prays for us.
When we don’t know what to do, she guides us.
When we fall, she gently lifts us up again.
A Mother Close to Our Wounds
Many of us turn to her when we are hurting—whether from illness, heartbreak, anxiety, or loss. She knows our pain because she suffered with her Son. The icon reminds us: she does not run from suffering—she meets us in it.
She is perpetual help because she draws us closer to Jesus, the source of all healing, all peace, all grace.
π A Short Prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
O Mother of Perpetual Help,
we come to you with hearts full of trust and love.
You know our needs, our sorrows, our joys.
Pray for us to your Son, Jesus, that we may have strength in trials,
peace in our homes, healing in our bodies,
and hope in every difficulty we face.
Never let us be parted from your motherly care. Amen.
Let us never forget: we are never alone. We have a mother—our Lady of Perpetual Help—always near, always ready to lift us up to her Son.
