About Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Our Mother of Perpetual Help is a Roman Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary as represented in a celebrated 15th-century Byzantine icon also associated with the same Marian apparition.
The icon originated from the Keras Kardiotissas Monastery and has been in Rome since 1499. Today it is permanently enshrined in the Church of Saint Alphonsus, where the official Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help text is prayed weekly.
On 23 June 1867, Pope Pius IX granted the image its Canonical Coronation along with its present title. The Redemptorist priests are the only religious order currently entrusted by the Holy See to protect and propagate a Marian religious work of art. In the Eastern Orthodox Church iconography, the image is known as the ”Virgin Theotokos of the Passion” due to the instruments of the Passion of Jesus Christ present on the image.
The feast day of the image is celebrated on June 27, with novena devotions held every Wednesday. Under Pope Pius XII’s Pontificate, the image was designated as the national Patroness of the Republic of Haiti and Almoradi, Spain. In addition, Pope John Paul II issued a canonical coronation for a similar image in Jaworzno, Poland in 16 June 1999.
Due to the propagation of the Redemptorist Priests since 1865, the image has become very popular among Roman Catholics. Modern reproductions are oftentimes displayed in residential homes, commercial establishments, and public transportation.
About The Abuja Archdiocese Confraternity
The Confraternity is an association of Catholic faithfuls, consecrated to Our Mother of Perpettual Help which is being powered by the Redemptorist Priests. The objectives for which we are established are: to glorify Jesus our Saviour, love and honour our Mother Mary and make Her known to the world under the title of OUR MOTHER OF PERPETUAL HELP while imitating Her virtues of faith, virginity, obedience, humility and patience. Again, to have recourse to Her in all our spiritual (by organizing special Marian programs like A DAY WITH MARY, ICON VISITATION, etc) and temporal needs, promote the teachings of the Catholic Church, undertake charity visitation to Hospitals and other needy homes/centres, as well as rendering them assistance, where possible.
The establishment of the Confraternity in the Archdiocese of Abuja came into limelight when a servant of God, a child of Mary, Rev. Fr. Joseph Olisah, as an Associate Priest in St. Luke’s Parish, Kubwa started the move to “Make our Mother Mary known throughout the whole world” especially in the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja in the year 2013. He was able to actualize this with the help of Sis. Chizoba Ozoani Adaeze, who visited St. Luke’s parish from Enugu, a staunch member of the Confraternity of Our Mother of Perpetual help in Enugu. With her, Fr. Olisah was able to gather devotees in the parish and the devotion started in St. Luke’s parish.
Latest Postings
Support The Dissemination And Propagation Of Devotion To Our Mother
The Confraternity spreads devotion to our Mother of Perpetual Help through distribution of prayer cards, Icons, prayer manuals, votive candles, conducting special events, etc. By supporting the CONFRATERNITY on the #evangelism today, you are investing and building...
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Forgiving and Being Forgiven
Forgiving and Being Forgiven Forgiveness, if it is real, must affect everything about us. It is something that we must ask for, give, receive, and give again. Here are a few points for you to consider: Can you honestly see your sin, experience sorrow for that sin,...
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The Timing of God
The Timing of God God’s plan is so very different than human wisdom. His ways are far above our ways. And His ways continue to be far above our ways! What does this teach us? It teaches us lots of patience. And it teaches us surrender, trust and hope. If we want to...
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Daily Reflection
There are only three things that we can give in our service of the Lord. Truthfully, they are not even ours to offer, they are only ours to offer back. The Lord owns all that is and we can give Him nothing that isn’t already His. TIME: Some of us – or each of us at...
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