Old Testement

OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP

This Catholic fine art print 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 icon is a white and red lily that represents Mary’s immaculate purity and maternal charity. 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.

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