This is the most famous Icon of Mary in the Philippines. The Our Lady of Perpetual Help's icon had so many symbols that even a daily Mass goer did not noticed.
When I first step in the Parish of OLPH in 13th Avenue, Cubao, I was mesmerized by the mystique of the altar designs. It looks like a semi-Cathedral rather than a Parish. I came from North Caloocan, specifically in Amparo Village, and our Parish (Holy Cross Parish) would be Chapel like when compared to this majestic OLPH Parish.
I observe people in and out, they seemed not noticed a peculiar Icon. This Icon was believed painted by St. Luke, and was stored in St. Matthew Church in Via Merulana in Rome.
It was first venerated in 1499, and Pope Pius IX venerated this image when he was a boy before the image was lost during the French invasion.
Tradition states that the icon depicted an occasion when the young Jesus Christ awoke from a dream in which the young Jesus saw the instrument of His passion. Mary comforted Jesus, but remained quiet, she knew that this will be the future of his most beloved son.
Today we look again to history, and seeing this Icon, only reminds us that we have a Mother and a guide and a perpetual comforter.
No comments:
Post a Comment