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Mother of Perpetual Help Devotion
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Mosaic of Mother of Perpetual Help Icon near front entrance of church. Click photo to enlarge.Mother of Perpetual Help Devotion
Tuesdays at 6:30pm following 6:00pm Mass
Symbolism of Mother of Perpetual of Help Icon Greek initials:
MP - 0Y identity Mary as Mother of God (on the two sides of the upper part of the icon)’IC - XC Jesus Christ (to the right of the Christ Child’s head)OAM Archangel Michael (above the angel on the left, as you look at the icon)OAr Archangel Gabriel (above the angel on the right, as you look at the icon)
The Golden Crowns on both Jesus and Our Lady represent royalty.
Jesus and Mary have golden halos, but Christ’s halo is decorated with a cross as a sign of His Divinity.
The Star on the Virgin's veil reminds us that she is the Star of the Sea that leads us to the safe harbor, which is Christ.
The hands of Christ face downwards. He places them in Our Lady's, which indicates that the graces of surrender are in her hands.
The loose sandal represents Jesus running in haste to His mother, while gazing at the angels holding the instruments of His Passion and Death.
Mary's left hand holds the hand of Christ in a posture of possession, which possesses the Christ. It is a consoling hand to all those she helps.
Mary's sorrowful gaze is away from Jesus and upon us. She is sorrowful and pleads with us to avoid sin and love her Son, Jesus, who died for us.
Mary's mouth is small to signify her silent recollection and prayer.
The gold background symbolizes heaven, where Jesus and Mary are enthroned.