Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Our parish is dedicated to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary, without any particular title. However, an important Marian devotion in our parish is to "Our Lady of Perpetual Help", and under this title Mary is patron of our Diocese of Middlesbrough.
Below you can find out a bit more about this beautiful devotion and its place in our parish and diocese.
Below you can find out a bit more about this beautiful devotion and its place in our parish and diocese.
The origins of the devotion
The Blessed Virgin Mary’s title of ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Help’ is associated with a 15th-century Byzantine icon from Crete now revered in the Church of Saint Alphonsus Liguori in Rome.
The present-day Church of Saint Alphonsus Liguori in Rome is home to the original icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
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For several hundred years the painting was in private houses and public churches in Rome, eventually coming into the care of the Redemptorist Fathers (The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer).
According to their account, in 1866 Pope Pius IX declared that the Redemptorists should make the icon known worldwide. The Congregation duly made copies and sent them to Redemptorist parishes around the world, and encouraged people to pray a Novena in Mary’s honour every Wednesday. |
Why Our Lady of Perpetual Help is patron of Middlesbrough Diocese
In 1866, the year that the pope encouraged the Redemptorists to make the image known worldwide, a young Irishman studying for the priesthood in Rome watched the icon being carried through the streets, and it made a great impression on him. His name was Richard Lacy. A few years after ordination he was sent to Bradford where he was delighted to find a copy of the painting. Father Lacy was appointed the first Bishop of Middlesbrough in 1879, and put the new diocese under the patronage of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
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In 1884, during a visit to Rome, Bishop Lacy was asked by the Redemptorists to write the preface for the first English translation of the manual of devotions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Shortly afterwards he made a visit to the Church of Saint Alphonsus and prayed before the icon for healing of an internal ailment that had caused him much suffering for nine years. He received an instantaneous and complete cure.
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Bishop Richard Lacy in his study.
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The devotion today
Devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help has now spread throughout the world, with copies of the icon in thousands of churches. There are major shrines dedicated to her in the United States and the Philippines. As well being patron of our diocese, Our Lady of Perpetual Help is patron of Haiti, and many churches, schools and hospitals are named in her honour.
Here at Our Lady's Parish in York, we mark the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help every year on 27th June.
When the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the parish from gathering physically for prayer, we started praying online the Rosary and Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help every Wednesday evening. As ever, Mary has been a source of consolation and strength in this difficult time.
When the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the parish from gathering physically for prayer, we started praying online the Rosary and Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help every Wednesday evening. As ever, Mary has been a source of consolation and strength in this difficult time.
Symbolism of the icon
Byzantine (eastern) icons are full of symbolism intended to inspire the viewer's reflection and prayer. The symbolism of the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is particularly rich.
Further resources
