The icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (Succor) captures the essence of several elements of the faith, namely the Way of the Cross,  Mary’s loving intercession, the Glory of the Divine Light (reflected in the golden background), and our path to redemption. It is said  to have been painted in the 13th century. It is painted on wood and has a golden background. In this image, the Theotokos holds the Christ Child in the presence of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, who carry the instruments of Christ’s Passion.

The icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help was brought to Rome in the late fifteenth century  by a merchant who had stolen the icon from a church on the isle of Crete. He then became terminally ill and requested that the image be exposed for public veneration. It was finally placed in the Church of San Matteo, Via Merulana . There it was popularly referred to as the Madonna di San Matteo. It remained there for approximately 300 years. The church of San Matteo was served by the Agustinians, who had been sheltering Irish  brethen in need. When the French invaded Rome, the church was destroyed and the icon disappeared for neary 40 years. It was , however, rediscovered in 1865 in an oratory of the Augustine Fathers  at Sta. Maria in Posturela.

The Pope of the day, Pius IX. had often venerated the Mother of Perpetual help in San Matteo. He was consequently eager to display the icon once again for veneration in Via Merulana, but at a different church, St. Alphonsus. It has remained there to this day. 

Prayer to Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Mother of Perpetual Help

you have been blessed and

favored by God. You became

not only the Mother of

the Redeemer but the Mother of

the redeemed as well. We

come to you today as your

loving children. Watch  over

us and take care of us. As you

held the child Jesus in your

loving arms, so take us in

your arms. He who is mighty

has done great things for you,

and God’s greatest fear is

that, in time of temptation, we

may fail to call out to you and

become lost children.

Interecede for us, dear Mother,

in obtaining pardon for our

 sins, love for Jesus, final

perseverance, and the grace

always to call upon you.

Mother of Perpetual Help,

pray for us.

Amen