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| Our Lady of Perpetual Succour June 27; incl. Solemn Novena | |
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| Topic Started: Friday, 5. September 2008, 18:53 (37 Views) | |
| KatyA | Friday, 5. September 2008, 18:53 Post #1 |
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 First of all you see Mary, because she dominates the picture and because she looks straight at you -- not at Jesus, not at heaven, not at the angels above her head. She looks at you as if to tell you something very important. Her eyes seem serious, even sad, but they command attention. This is an important woman, one of power and position. She is set on a gold background, a symbol of heaven in the middle ages. She is dressed in dark blue robes with a green lining and red tunic. Blue, green, and red were the colors of royalty. Only the Empress was allowed to wear those colors. The eight-point star on her forehead was probably added by a later artist to represent the Eastern idea that Mary is the star that leads us to Jesus. To reinforce the symbolism, there is an ornamental four-point cross to the left of the star on her headdress. The letters above her head proclaim her the Mother of God (in Greek). Looking at the painting, we know that she has the power to intercede for us in heaven. Mary's gaze is fixed on you, but her arms hold Jesus. In Byzantine icons, Mary is never shown without Jesus because Jesus is central to the faith. Jesus too is wearing the clothes of royalty. Only an Emperor could wear the green tunic, red sash, and gold brocade portrayed in the picture. The Greek initials to the right of the child and his halo decorated with a cross proclaim that he is "Jesus Christ." Jesus isn't looking at us, or at Mary, or at the angels. Though he clings to his mother, he's looking away, at something we can't see -- something that made him run so fast to his mother that one of his sandals has almost fallen off, something that makes him cling to her for protection and love. What would frighten a little boy, even the Son of God, so much? The figures that hover on either side of Jesus and Mary -- the Greek letters above them identify them as Archangels Gabriel and Michael -- provide us with the answer. Rather than carrying harps or trumpets of praise, they bear the instruments of Christ's Passion. On the left, Michael holds an urn filled with the gall that the soldiers offered to Jesus on the cross, the lance that pierced his side, and the reed with the sponge. To the right, Gabriel carries the cross and four nails. Jesus has seen part of his destiny -- the suffering and death he will undergo. Though he is God, he is human as well and afraid of this terrifying future. He has run to his mother, who holds him close in this moment of panic, the same way she will be close by his side through his life and death. While she can't spare him his suffering, she can love and comfort him. So why is Mary looking so intently at us instead of her child in need? Her gaze brings us into the story, makes us part of the painting and the pain. Her gaze tells us that just as Jesus ran to his mother and found refuge, so too may we run to Mary. Her hand does not clasp the hands of her frightened son in a protective grip, but remains open, inviting us to put our hands in hers and join with Jesus. Mary knows there are many things in our lives that are dangerous and terrifying, and that we need someone to turn to in times of suffering and dread. She offers us the same comfort and love she gave to Jesus. She tells us to run to her as fast as Jesus did, so fast that we don't even think about what we wear or how we go, just so we get there. Redemptorists |
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| Joe Valente | Sunday, 5. April 2009, 21:49 Post #2 |
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The Redemptorists have spread devotion and promoted the Novena to the Mother of Perpetual Succour everywhere they have been. The original picture can be seen in the public chapel of thier mother house in Rome. (Close to St. Mary Major) There is great devotion to her in Ireland and the annual novena held in her honour by the Redemptorists in Belfast attracts upwards of 500o people daily over the course of nine days |
| What doth it profit a man if he gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his soul | |
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| Joe Valente | Friday, 5. June 2009, 22:59 Post #3 |
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SOLEMN NOVENA TO THE MOTHER OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR. CLONARD MONASTERY (REDEMPTORISTS) BELFAST ; 17TH TO 25TH JUNE. 10 Sessions Daily. The Clonard Novena, held every June, draws thousands of people each day. Further details can be gained from the Clonard web site. The Novena can be seen and heard also on the web site www.clonard.com. |
| What doth it profit a man if he gains the whole world but suffers the loss of his soul | |
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| KatyA | Tuesday, 16. June 2009, 12:33 Post #4 |
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More information on the solemn novena brought to our attention by Joe. The sessions can be followed on the monastery webcam Weekdays 07.00am 08.15am 09.30am 11.00am 02.00pm 03.30pm 06.30pm 08.00pm 09.30pm 11.00pm Saturdays Sundays 07.00am 08.15am 09.30am 11.00am 12.30pm 02.00pm 03.30pm 05.00pm 06.30pm 08.00pm http://www.clonard.com/ |
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| KatyA | Saturday, 27. June 2009, 11:55 Post #5 |
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Behold at thy feet, O Mother of Perpetual Succour! A wretched sinner who has recourse to thee and confides in thee. O Mother of Mercy! Have pity on me. I hear thee called by all, the refuge and hope of sinners: be, then, my refuge and my hope. Assist me for the love of Jesus Christ; stretch forth thy hand to a miserable fallen creature who recommends himself to thee, and who devotes himself to thy service for ever. I bless and thank Almighty God, Who in mercy has given me this confidence in thee which I hold to be a pledge of my eternal salvation. It is true that in the past I have miserably fallen into sin, because I had not recourse to thee. I know that with thy help I shall conquer. I know, too, that thou wilt assist me, if I recommend myself to thee; but I fear that in time of danger, I may neglect to call on thee, and thus lose my soul. This grace, then, I ask of thee, and this I beg, with all the fervour of my soul, that, in all the attacks of hell, I may ever have recourse to thee. O Mary! Help me. O Mother of Perpetual Succour! Never suffer me to lose my God. |
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2:22 PM Nov 24