Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
History of Mother of Perpetual Help
The famous icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (also called Mother of Perpetual Help) is believed to have been painted between the 13th and 15th centuries, most likely on the island of Crete, which was a major centre of icon painting influenced by the Byzantine tradition.
According to tradition, a merchant from Candia (modern Heraklion in Crete) stole the icon and brought it to Rome around 1495.
Arrival in Rome and First Church (1499)
Before dying in Rome, the merchant asked a friend to place the icon in a church. In 1499, the icon was installed in the church of San Matteo in Via Merulana, located between the basilicas of Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano.
The image quickly became famous for miracles and devotion spread among the people of Rome.
Disappearance During War (1798)
In 1798, during the turmoil when French invasion of the Papal States under Napoleon Bonaparte, the church of San Matteo was destroyed. The icon was rescued by Augustinian Order monks and moved to the nearby church of Santa Maria in Posterula, where it remained largely forgotten for many years.
Rediscovery and the Redemptorists (1866)
In the mid-19th century, Pope Pius IX learned about the icon and ordered that it be returned to public veneration near its original location.
He entrusted the icon to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1866, with the instruction:
“Make her known.”
The Redemptorists placed the icon in Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori, where it remains today.
Worldwide Devotion
From the late 19th century onward, the Redemptorists spread devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help across the world.
Key developments include:
The Perpetual Help novena becoming one of the most popular Catholic devotions.
Devotion spreading strongly in many countries. Many churches and shrines are dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Famous Miracles and Stories
1. The Merchant Saved at Sea
One of the earliest traditions says that the icon was stolen from Crete by a merchant in the 15th century.
During his voyage to Rome, a violent storm threatened to sink the ship. The merchant and sailors prayed before the icon, asking Mary for help.
According to the story, the storm suddenly calmed and the ship arrived safely in Rome. Because of this event, many believers began to see the icon as a source of protection in danger.
2. The Roman Girl’s Vision
After the merchant died in Rome, his friend delayed placing the icon in a church.
A young Roman girl reportedly had a vision of the Virgin Mary, who told her:
The icon should be placed in the church of San Matteo in Via Merulana.
When the message was followed and the icon was placed there in 1499, devotion quickly grew.
3. Miracles at the Church of San Matteo
Once the icon was displayed at San Matteo, many Romans began reporting:
Healings from illness
Protection during hardships
Answered prayers
Because of the many testimonies, the icon became one of the most visited Marian images in Rome.
4. Protection During War
In 1798, when the church of San Matteo was destroyed during the French invasion of the Papal States under Napoleon Bonaparte, the icon was rescued by monks.
Despite the destruction of the church, the image itself remained undamaged, which believers saw as another sign of Mary’s protection.
5. Rediscovery and Spread of Devotion
In 1866, Pope Pius IX ordered the icon to be publicly displayed again and entrusted it to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
He famously told them:
“Make her known.”
After this, devotion spread worldwide through missionaries.
6. Miracles Reported in the Philippines
One of the strongest devotions today is in Philippines, especially at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
Thousands of people testify to:
Healing from sickness
Finding jobs
Family reconciliation
Protection in disasters
Every Wednesday, massive crowds attend the Perpetual Help Novena, one of the largest Marian devotions in the world.
7. The Baclaran Novena Tradition
In the 1940s, the novena devotion spread rapidly in Manila.
During difficult periods such as World War II, many people prayed to Our Lady of Perpetual Help for safety. Stories circulated of families and communities surviving bombings and hardship after praying the novena.
8. Personal Testimonies Worldwide
Over the past century, believers across the world have reported:
Recovery from serious illness
Help in financial struggles
Protection during accidents
Strength during grief
Many churches keep books filled with written testimonies of favours received through this devotion.
Meaning of the Icon
The icon shows:
Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus Christ.
Two archangels:
Archangel Michael
Archangel Gabriel
They hold instruments of the Passion (cross, nails, spear), symbolizing Christ’s future suffering while Mary offers comfort and protection.
Today: The original icon is still venerated in Rome at the Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori and is one of the most beloved Marian devotions in the Catholic Church.
Main Symbols and Their Meanings
1. Mary’s Hand Pointing to Jesus
Mary’s right-hand points toward Jesus.
Meaning:
She is not the focus, but the one who leads people to Christ.
She shows that Jesus is the source of help and salvation.
This is why icons like this are sometimes called “Theotokos – She who shows the Way.”
2. The Child Jesus Clinging to Mary
Jesus is shown running toward His mother in fear.
Meaning:
He sees the instruments of His future suffering.
Like any child, He seeks comfort from His mother.
This highlights:
Jesus’ humanity
Mary as a loving mother and protector
One sandal is hanging loose, symbolizing:
His haste to reach Mary
Human vulnerability
3. The Archangels
Two angels appear in the upper corners.
Left: Archangel Michael
He carries:
The lance
The sponge on a stick
These were used during the crucifixion of Jesus.
Right: Archangel Gabriel
He carries:
The cross
The nails
Together they remind Jesus of the coming Crucifixion.
4. The Star on Mary’s Veil
The star on Mary’s forehead symbolizes:
Mary as Star of the Sea (Stella Maris)
She guides believers to Christ, just as a star guides travellers to their destination.
5. Mary’s Serious Expression
Mary does not look at Jesus.
Instead, she looks directly at the viewer.
Meaning:
She sees the suffering of humanity.
She invites the viewer to come to her Son for help.
Her calm face shows compassion and understanding.
6. The Gold Background
The gold background symbolizes:
Heaven
God’s glory
The eternal world
In icons, gold means the scene is not just historical but eternal.
7. Greek Letters
The icon includes Greek inscriptions.
Examples:
MP-ΘΥ → “Meter Theou” meaning Mother of God
IC XC → abbreviation for Jesus Christ
Near the angels:
OAM → Archangel Michael
OAG → Archangel Gabriel
8. The Colours of Mary’s Clothing
Mary’s clothing has symbolic colours:
Dark blue → humanity
Red inner garment → divine grace / royalty
She represents a human person filled with God's grace.
9. Jesus’ Colours
Jesus wears:
Green → life and new creation
Gold → divinity and glory
Even though He will suffer, He remains the divine Savior.
The Deeper Message of the Icon
The icon tells a spiritual story:
Jesus sees His future suffering.
He runs to His mother.
Mary presents Him to the world.
The viewer is invited to trust Christ.
This is why the icon is called “Perpetual Help”—Mary continually leads people to Jesus.
Novena prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Opening Prayer
O Mother of Perpetual Help, kindly look upon me in my need. Obtain for me the strength to carry my crosses, the courage to face my difficulties, and the grace to trust in your Son, Jesus.
Loving Mother, help me to imitate your virtues and follow your Son faithfully all the days of my life.
Amen.
Prayer of Confidence
O Mother of Perpetual Help,
with the greatest confidence I come before your holy image.
I trust in your powerful intercession.
Obtain for me the help I need in my present difficulty
(mention your intention).
I promise to live a Christian life
and to spread devotion to you.
Amen.
Prayer for Help
O Mother of Perpetual Help,
graciously look upon me in my need.
Obtain for me from your Son the strength to carry my burdens and the grace to overcome my trials.
Help me to trust in God's loving plan for my life and to remain faithful in all circumstances.
Amen.
Hail Mary
The novena usually includes the prayer:
Hail Mary, honouring Virgin Mary and asking her intercession through Jesus Christ.
Closing Prayer
O Mother of Perpetual Help,
pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Help us in our needs, comfort us in our sorrows, and lead us always to your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
9-Day Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Day 1 – Trust in Mary
O Mother of Perpetual Help, loving Mother of Jesus and my Mother,
I come to you today with confidence in your goodness. You know my needs and my difficulties. Please present my prayer to your Son, Jesus. Help me to trust in God’s loving care for me.
Obtain for me the grace I ask for, if it is according to God’s will.
Amen.
3 Hail Marys....Glory Be
Day 2 – Mother of Mercy
O Mother of mercy, you are the refuge of sinners and the comfort of those in sorrow. Look with kindness upon my struggles and fears. Help me to turn always to Jesus in faith. Obtain for me strength in my weakness and the grace I ask for in this novena.
Amen.
3 Hail Marys....Glory Be
Day 3 – Help in Difficulties
O Mother of Perpetual Help, you are always ready to assist your children. In my present difficulty I turn to you. Please intercede for me before your Son. Grant me patience, courage, and hope.
Help me to accept God’s will in my life.
Amen.
3 Hail Marys....Glory Be
Day 4 – Mother of Hope
O loving Mother, when life becomes difficult you remind us that God never abandons us. Fill my heart with hope and peace.
Strengthen my faith during this trial. Through your intercession, obtain for me the help I seek.
Amen.
3 Hail Marys....Glory Be
Day 5 – Comfort in Suffering
O Mother who stood faithfully beside the cross of Jesus,
teach me to remain strong in suffering. Help me carry my crosses with patience and love. Comfort me in my struggles and guide me closer to your Son.
Amen.
3 Hail Marys....Glory Be
Day 6 – Faith and Courage
O Mother of Perpetual Help,
give me the courage to face the challenges before me. Strengthen my faith in God’s providence. Help me trust that God is guiding my life. Through your powerful intercession, hear my prayer.
Amen.
3 Hail Marys....Glory Be
Day 7 – Gratitude
O gracious Mother, I thank God for all the blessings I have received. Teach me to recognize God's goodness even in difficult times.
Help me to remain grateful and faithful. Continue to intercede for my needs and intentions.
Amen.
3 Hail Marys....Glory Be
Day 8 – Loving Mother
O most loving Mother, you gently guide all who come to you. Take my hand and lead me closer to Jesus. Protect me from harm and strengthen me in faith. Please obtain for me the help I seek in this novena.
Amen.
3 Hail Marys....Glory Be
Day 9 – Mother of Perpetual Help
O Mother of Perpetual Help,
I thank you for listening to my prayers during these nine days. Continue to watch over me and my loved ones. Help me always to follow your Son, Jesus Christ. With confidence I entrust my life and my intentions to you.
Amen.
3 Hail Marys....Glory Be
Unfailing Prayers to Mother of Perpetual Help
Behold, O Mother of Perpetual Help, at thy feet, a wretched sinner, who has recourse to thee and trusts in thee. O Mother of mercy, have pity on me. I hear all men call thee the refuge and hope of sinners. Be therefore my refuge and my hope. Help me for the love of Jesus Christ. Hold out thy hand to a fallen wretch, who commends himself to thee and dedicates himself to be thy servant forever. I praise and thank God, who of His great mercy hath given me this confidence in thee, a sure pledge of my eternal salvation.
Alas, it is only too true that in the past I have fallen miserably, because I did not come to thee. I know that with thy help I shall conquer. I know that thou wilt help me, if I commend myself to thee; but I am fearful lest in the occasions of sin I shall forget to call upon thee and so I shall be lost. This grace, then, do I ask of thee; for this I implore thee, as much as I can and know how to do; namely, that in the assaults of hell, I may ever run to thy protection and may say to thee: Mary, help me; Mother of Perpetual Help, permit me not to lose my God. Hail Mary...
O Mother of Perpetual Help, grant me ever to be able to call upon thy powerful name, since thy name is the help of the living and the salvation of the dying. Ah, Mary most pure, Mary most sweet, grant that thy name from this day forth may be to me the very breath of life. Dear Lady, delay not to come to my assistance whenever I call upon thee; for in all the temptations that assail me, in all the necessities that befall me, I will never leave off calling upon thee, ever repeating: Mary, Mary. What comfort, what sweetness, what confidence, what tenderness fills my soul at the sound of thy name, at the very thought of thee! I give thanks to our Lord, who for my sake hath given thee a name so sweet, so lovable, so mighty. But I am not content merely to speak thy name; I would utter it for very love of thee; it is my desire that love should ever remind me to name thee, Mother of Perpetual Help. Hail Mary...
O Mother of Perpetual Help, thou art the dispenser of every grace that God grants us in our misery; it is for this cause that He hath made thee so powerful, so rich, so kind, that thou might assist us in our miseries. Thou art the advocate of the most wretched and abandoned sinners, if they but come unto thee. Come once more to my assistance, for I commend myself to thee. In thy hands I place my eternal salvation. To thee I entrust my soul. Enrol me among thy most faithful servants. Take me under thy protection and it is enough for me. Yes, for if thou protect me, I shall fear nothing; not my sins, for thou wilt obtain for me their pardon and remission; not the evil spirits, for thou art mightier than all the powers of hell; not even Jesus, my Judge, for He is appeased by a single prayer from thee. I fear only that through my own negligence I may forget to recommend myself to thee and so I shall be lost. My dear Lady, obtain for me the forgiveness of my sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance and the grace to have recourse to thee at all times, O Mother of Perpetual Help. Hail Mary....