Our Mother of Perpetual Help: The ICON of LOVE

“Hear, then, our Mother who calls us and says to us: "Let whoever is simple turn in here" (Proverbs 9:4). Little children are always saying the word "Mother", and in all the dangers which they encounter and in all their fears they cry, ‘Mother! Mother!’’’ (St. Alphonsus: Glories of Mary)

         One of the most common titles of Mary in the world and particularly here in the Philippine archipelago is that of Our Mother of Perpetual help. In the Tagalog region, she is called as Ina ng Laging Saklolo. Among the Ilonggos she is the Iloy Sang sa Gihapon nga Panabang. The Warays would also call her Iroy han Kanunay nga Panabang while the Cebuano speaking regions, Mary is their Inahan sa Kanunay’ng Panabang. The devotion of many Filipinos is very much expressive in the Wednesday novenas throughout the country especially in Baclaran, Cebu, Iloilo, the growing devotees in Davao and in many parishes across the country. A copy of the icon can easily be seen as it is displayed not just in churches and chapels or homes but even in public transportation such us buses, taxis, jeepnies and even tricycles and motorcycles.

             This is indeed an expression of the countless people who come to Mary especially among the most needy and afflicted and those who feel the need of being loved and protected by our Mother. This need of being loved is true to all classes in the society. Both the rich and the poor, young and old, healthy and the sickly, and righteous and sinners look up to Mary’s icon seeking her intercession for their every petition.

An excerpt of the Perpetual Novena captures this hope of every devotees that prays, “As we look at your picture, we remember your life on earth. You had many crosses and trials but you knew how to face them. You had faith and trust in God. You relied on his loving, fatherly goodness.” This makes us, then, devotees of Our Mother to utter, “Help us to be like you. We too have our trials and troubles. We are often worried and confused. Gives us courage. Strengthen our faith.”

               As one gazes upon the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual help the encounter becomes real and alive. This is, in fact, the intent of the icon to have a real encounter with the divine. It is more than the representation of a person or a historical event. Our former Superior General of the Redemptorists, Fr. Juan Manuel Lasso de la Vega, says “This icon (OMPH) reminds us of Mary and Jesus facing the reality of the Passion; but rather in a special way it purports to raise our consciousness of the mysteries of Redemption in Christ and of the intercession of Mary in favour of the followers of Jesus.” Hence, as this icon shows to us Mary, our Mother but more so, it invites us to gaze upon the image of her son, Jesus, the Redeemer in the arms of Mary. It is manifested as the right hand of Our Mother points us to her Son, who is the true Perpetual Help.

             With an attitude of faith and contemplative prayer one could really admire how this particular icon, in its truest sense, articulates an Icon of Love. It is most depicted in the icon’s face of Our Mother. It is a face that, indeed, knows pain and suffering yet calls us to come to her to find refuge. The child Jesus himself was the first to take refuge to her Mother. Jesus’s hands are clinging to her Mothers open hand. This open hand gives us then the invitation to come to her too and at the same time to come nearer to Jesus. The serene eyes of Mary looks upon us tenderly assuring all of us her daughters and sons that she is not blind and indifferent from all our difficulties and struggles. This is also an assurance to us that as a Mother, she will always be accompanying us in our journey of faith.

              Above all, this true Icon of Love speaks to us that life may not be easy. Like the child Jesus, we might find ourselves too trembling in fear yet the hands of our Mother are always ready to help, comfort and accompany us. The presence of her son, Jesus, reminds us that our God is loving and is full of mercy. This is depicted in the symbols of the passion of our Lord carried by the two angels. Moreover, this Icon of Love calls us not to forget our brothers and sisters especially the sick and the dying, the lonely and the broken-hearted, the poor and the oppressed (excerpt from the perpetual novena) for they too are our co-pilgrims. Certainly, this Icon of Love invites us too to accept the Will of God and to offer of lives in the service of others, and as Redemptorists – to offer our lives for plentiful redemption.