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This one half hour devotion will include: hymns, recitation of novena prayers, homily, adoration of the Holy Eucharist and Benediction. When a priest celebrates the Novena, confessions will be heard during the adoration time.

On Holy Days and national holidays the Novena Prayers will be recited after the 9:00 am Mass. Days of exception will be announced in the weekly bulletin and on this website.*

A Special Gift for Our Lady of Grace Parishioners
In summer of 2003, a local Catholic Parish conducted a tour and pilgrimage to Italy. Parishioner, Joan Pruzinsky, went with friends on this tour. While in Rome, they visited St. Alphonsus Church, where the original, restored Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help is enshrined. A copy of the restored, original Icon was brought home for our devotion and enjoyment. Our copy of the Icon, made under the care of Reverend Eugene Karpiel, C.SS.R., Krakow, Poland in the year 2000, has been enshrined in our church in the alcove across from our Reconciliation Room.

THE ICON OF OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP

The word "icon" in Greek means "image" and most often refers to representations of Christ, the Blessed Virgin or a Saint, that has been painted according to specifice artistic norms. An Icon is meant to convey spiritual and theological meaning.

The History of the Icon
Also known as the Virgin of the Passion, tradition says the original icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help was painted by St. Luke and sent to Theophilus at Antioch, however this painting was destroyed by the Turks whey they overtook Constantinople in 1453 A.D.

According to Vatican records the current version of the icon went on public display for viewing and veneration when it was officially placed in the Church of St. Matthew in Rome in 1499 A.D. Scientific tests have indicated the wood of this version of the icon is dated between 1325 A.D. and 1480 A.D. There is no signature on the painting and no written record of the artist. Art scholars have ascertained from the style and method of the artist, of the current version of the icon, that it was painted by a monk who lived on the Isle of Crete. For some unknown reason (there is a theory that it was stolen) the icon was taken from Crete and brought to Rome. The Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help was placed in St. Matthew's and resided there for the next 300 years. Due to the danger resulting from the French occupation in the early 18th century, the Irish Augustinians removed the icon for safety reasons to a private chapel. In 1866, the icon was rediscovered by the Redemptorists of Rome and placed in the church of St. Alphonsus in Rome where it may be viewed today.

Description of the Icon
The original icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help is painted on hard nut wood (21×17 inches). The overall artistic style and the expression on Mary's face confirms the icon’s origin in late Byzantine Art. In the icon there are four figures: the Virgin Mother of God, the Christ Child and the Archangels, Michael and Gabriel. Each figure is labled with its name in thin red lettering in Greek. The lettering is translated as follows: MP-OY = 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 (on Mary's left) and OAT = Archangel Rapheal (on Mary's right). The angels are considerably smaller in size to symbolize the importance of Jesus and Mary.

The gold background in the painting is unmistakably Byzantine. It's use is appropriate for the picture as the color gold was seen as a symbol of divinity. The largest figure in the painting is The Virgin Mary. While the painting is of only the top half of her, she appears to be standing. She is wearing a red tunic with a gold geometric design around her neck, a "royal" blue hooded blue hooded cloak with green lining and a lighter blue headdress that covers her hair, ears and a portion of her forehead. She supports the infant Jesus in her left hand and arm. In the center of her head on the hood there is a small star and gold cross. It is believed these symbols are a sign of the art school under which the artist studied. Looking at the painting from various angles, her gaze seems to follow you. She appears to be in conversation with whoever is looking at her. Her eyes give her face a sense of beauty and solemnity. She invites all who look upon her image to place their trust in her intercession.

Prayer to Our Blessed Mother
O Holy Virgin Mary, you inspire us with boundless confidence, and have been pleased to take the name of Perpetual Help. I ask you to come to my aid always and everywhere: in my temptations, after my falls, in my difficulties, in all the miseries of life, and above all, at the hour of my death.

Give me, loving Mother, the desire and habit always to have recourse to you with fidelity. You will be faithful to come to my assistance. Obtain for me the grace to pray to you without ceasing and with childlike prayer, that I may ensure your perpetual help and final perseverance. O Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for me now and at the hour of my death. Amen.