OUR LADY OF
PERPETUAL HELP
This widow is
centered on the ancient image of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help. It was believed to
have been painted in the thirteenth century in classic Byzantine style of that
time and was brought to Rome in the fifteenth century by a pious merchant. It
was exposed for public veneration and many graces were obtained through the
intercession of our Lady under this title. The image was entrusted to the
Redemptorist Fathers and they spread the veneration and devotion to Mary in
this image and title throughout the world. In the Image Jesus has a vision of
the instruments of his future torture presented by the archangels Michael and
Gabriel. Frightened by the vision he runs to his mother, almost loosing, in his
haste, one of his sandals. Mary holds him in her arms reassuringly and
lovingly. Jesus' little hands, are pressed into Mary's as a reminder that, as
child on earth He placed Himself entirely in her hands for protection and care,
so now in Heaven He has given us (the children of God on earth) into her care
and protection in the order of grace through her motherly intercession.
At the top of the
window is the Holy Spirit who overshadowed Mary and enabled her to become the
Mother of God - Jesus. Immediately surrounding the image are yellow/orange/red
shapes that represent the graces that come from Jesus through Mary. Past these
shapes are twenty small light blue circles that represent the twenty mysteries
of the rosary, which is a contemplative prayer on the life of Jesus and Mary
while on earth and their glory now in heaven. On either side of the image are
the large letters A and M, which are the first letters in Gabriel's salutation
at the annunciation - Ave Maria (Hail Mary). Just below and to either side of
the central image are two large circles each containing the five pointed star
of the old testament and the eight pointed star of the new testament, which
together form the sacred scripture and through which the Holy Spirit speaks to
us of the Word of God - Jesus. In the lower left of the window is a sword would
pierce the Immaculate Heart of Mary that Simeon prophesied at the presentation
of our Lord in the temple. This occurred spiritually during the passion and
Crucifixion of her son and is a symbol of her pure and maternal love for her
son and lord as well as all his brothers and sisters in faith whom He has
entrusted to her maternal care. In the lower left of the window is the Sacred
Heart of Jesus, which is a symbol of his pure, human, and sacrificial love for
us all. In between these two hearts is the cross superimposed with the
Eucharist, which represent the oneness and ongoing fruitful reality of the
sacrifice of the cross and the sacrifice of the mass.