The Our Lady of Perpetual Help statues and plaques, shown here, honor the Madonna who has promised her intercessory help. The image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is said to come from Saint Luke, the Gospel writer, who was known as an artist! According to the Byzantine tradition, Luke painted the Blessed Mother carrying the baby Jesus and showed it to Mary. She promised to help those who beheld the image.
In the statue the Child Jesus is shown with an adult face and a high brow, indicating His divine Mind of infinite intelligence. As God, He knew that the angelic apparition was prophetic of His future passion. Yet in His human nature as a small child, He is frightened and runs to His Mother for protection. Our Lady hastily picks Him up and clasps Him to her bosom. This action is indicated by the fact that the Lord’s right foot is nervously curled about the left ankle and in such haste that His right sandal has become loosened and hangs by a single strap. Further action is indicated by the way the Child Jesus clasps His Mother’s right hand with both of His, holding tightly to Our Lady’s thumb.
Our Lady’s face is of unspeakable majesty and calm and yet her large eyes, partly closed, express ineffable sorrow and sympathy. Our Lady is not looking at Jesus, but rather to us, to express compassion for us in our fears and sorrows.
