MEANING OF OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP ICON

Our Mother of Perpetual Help is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, associated with the Byzantine icon of the same name, said to be from the 13th or 14th century, but perhaps 15th century, which has been venerated in Rome since at least the late 15th century. The image is very popular among Catholics throughout the world, and has been much copied and reproduced. In the Byzantine Church this iconography is known as the Theotokos of the Passion.

1. Greek initial for Mother of God.

2. Greek initial for St. Michael, the archangel.

3. Greek initial for St. Gabriel, the archangel.

4. Mary’s mouth is small for silent recollection. She speaks little.

5. Mary’s eyes are larger, for in all our troubles, they are turned towards us always.

6. Star on our Lady’s veil means she is the star of the sea who brought the light Jesus into this world.

7. Red tunic is the color worn by virgins at the time of Christ (AD33).

8. Christ’s hands turned palms down into his Mother’s hands indicate that the grace of redemption is in her keeping.

9. Mary’s left hand supports Christ lovingly. That is why it is a comforting hand for everyone who calls on her.

10. Dark blue mantle – the color worn by mothers in Palestine, means Mary is both virgin and mother of Christ.

11. The entire background is gold representing the heaven.

12. Golden crown placed on the original picture as a token of many miracles wrought by the intercession of Our Mother of perpetual help.

13. Greek initial for Jesus Christ.

14. Foot with falling sandal represents Christ clinging to the human nature in symbol in the other foot to which the sandal is attached. This simply means that Christ has two natures, Human and Divine.

Source: Catechists of St. Francis Xavier