Shrine of our
Lady
of Perpetual Help
Church of St. Alphonsus
The Church, situated on the Esquiline hill between the two basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John is one of the rare examples of neo-gothic architecture in Rome. Although dedicated to the Most Redeemer, it was erected in honour of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorist Congregation, and thus bears his name.
It was built in 1855-59, according to the plans of the Scottish architect, George Wigley, in the grounds of the Villa Caserta, a property acquired by the Redemptorists from the Caetani family. The church measures 42x14 metres and was consecrated in 1859 by the Cardinal Costantino Patrizi. Tradition tells that, while excavating the foundations of the church, there was found a gold coin bearing the effigy of the Redeemer, this being seen as a good omen.
Three doors in gothic style lead to the vestibule of the church. The tympanum over the central door is decorated with a beautiful polychrome mosaic of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Over the tympana of the side doors are two bas-reliefs on gold mosaic backgrounds, by Antonio della Bitta, depicting on the left Saint Alphonsus and on the right the Redemptorist saint, Clemente Hofbauer. On the apex of the arch above the central door stands a statue, in carrara marble, of the Holy Redeemer. High above this is a magnificent rose window in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, flanked by two small circular windows. The pediment supports a Celtic cross, restored in 1964.
One enters the church by mounting a flight of 24 wide steps, constructed in 1932. Inside, the columns of coloured marble separate the large central nave from two side aisles. One will note that the architect, Wigley, did not follow exactly the rules of Transalpine gothic, but was seeking a modern interpretation. The nave, separated from the side aisles by wide transversal arches, typical of the neo-gothic of Southern Italy, presents a rich spectacle of polychrome marble. The side aisles contain six small chapels, erected between 1932 and 1939, dedicated to St. Theresa of Avila, St. Joseph, The Holy Family, St, Francis of Assisi, Our Lady Immaculate and St. Alphonsus. The confessionals, constructed at the beginning of the twentieth century in florid gothic, following the design of Gerard Knockaert, are the work of the Redemptorist Brother, Gerardo Uriati, a noted cabinet maker.
The stained glass of the rose window and that of the windows in the side aisles is of French origin and the work of the Domenican Brother, Marcellino Leforestier. During the years 1898-1900, two Redemptorists, the belgian architect Gerard Knockaert (1845-1928) and the Bavarian painter, Maximilien Schmalzl (1850-1930) dedicated themselves to the embellishment of the church and to maximizing its available space. The paintings in the chapels and on the arches of the central nave, the work of Schmalzl, all date from this time, as well as those on the gallery, above the side aisles, which opens on to the nave through a series of three-mullioned windows.
At the end of the nave, on the triumphal arch above the entrance to the sanctuary, one is struck by the early twentieth century painting, by Eugenio Cisterna, depicting the Coronation of the Virgin with the Angels and Saints of the Redemptorist Congregation. Underneath is the inscription in Latin telling "The Holy Mother is exalted above the choirs of angels to the heavenly kingdom". Cisterna is also responsible for the painted roundels of Apostles and Saints to be found above the arches of the side aisles. On the arch of the apse there is another Latin inscription: "You have redeemed us by thy blood and have made us a kingdom to our God". High above the sanctuary there is a large painted Cross on a gold background, with on either side the coats of arms of Pope Paul VI and the late Cardinal Ritter of Saint Louis, U.S.A.
The splendid mosaic in the apse, depicting the Redeemer enthroned between the adoring Virgin and St. Joseph, was created in 1964 and superimposed on an earlier fresco by Rodhen. Finally, in 1995 the picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (original of XIV century) underwent restoration and was re-exposed for public veneration in a new simpler setting of bronze and glass. This and the restructuring of the sanctuary was carried out under the direction of Fr. Antonio Marrazzo.
History
The Church of St. Alphonsus on the Esquiline is the centre of Christian spirituality and contains the original Picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
According to popular tradition the Picture was stolen on the island of Crete by a merchant who shipped it to Rome in the XV century. It is said that during the voyage a terrible storm threatened the lives of the passengers and that thanks to the intercession of Our Lady all were saved. A short time before his death the merchant decided to entrust the Picture to a friend so that it might be given to a city Church. The friend, however, retained the Picture until he was at the point of death. Then the Virgin appeared in a dream to his little daughter and expressed the desire to be venerated in a Church between the Basilicas of St. Mary Major and St. John Lateran. His wife finally consigned the Picture to the Church of St. Matthew.
For three centuries it was the centre of devotion on the Esquiline, but after the destruction of the Church of St. Matthew by Napoleon's troops, it was transferred to the Church of St. Mary in Posterula (Rome). The Picture remained there for almost seventy years until the Redemptorists came to Rome. They were building the Church of St. Alphonsus on the former site of St. Matthew's and became interested in the Picture. It was rediscovered thanks to a happy coincidence. Fr. Michael Marchi, a Redemptorist, recalled having seen it when he was an altar server, in one of the chapels of St. Mary in Posterula.
In 1866, after the Picture had been restored by a Polish artist, Leopold Nowotny, Pope Pius IX officially entrusted it to the Redemptorists. A year later when it was being carried in solemn procession through Rione Monti, Our Lady worked a miracle by curing a child. This is recalled by a copy of the Picture which can be seen at Via Merulana, 276.
Since 26 April 1866, the original Picture is preserved in the Church of St. Alphonsus, which is today an important Marian Shrine. Pilgrims come there in great numbers from every part of the world and find in the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help an oasis of prayer, a rich centre of spirituality and human friendliness. Everything helps to facilitate an encounter with the Mother of God.
The message of the Icon
The Picture of the Mother of Perpetual Help is an Icon, from the Greek "eikón" which means image. An Icon is not a simple representation of saints. It is rather a type of portrait which makes present the person represented in a spiritual way. When praying before an Icon, painted according to specific theological and technical norms, we can deepen our knowledge of the reality of the mystery of Christ, of Our Lady and the Angels and enter into spiritual contact with them.
The Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help measures 54 x 41.5 centimetres. It is one of the Passion Icons of Our Lady and depicts Our Lady with the Child, with an angel on each side holding the instruments of the Passion. The Child's hands grasp the hands of his Mother as the sandals falls from His foot revealing the sole. The Greek letters which appear on the Icon indicate the names of the four figures: Jesus Christ, Mother of God, Archangel Gabriel (right) and Archangel Michael (left).
The unknown artist of the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help seems to have wished to portray the anguish of Christ as He, contemplating the vision of His future Passion, represented by the instruments carried by the angels, in an abrupt movement lets fall a sandal. These elements of the composition show the reality of the suffering and the Passion of Christ. At the same time the Picture gives evidence of the triumph of Christ over suffering and death. This is depicted by the golden background, which is a sign of the Resurrection and in the manner in which the angels hold the instruments of the Passion. These appear not so much as threats of destruction, but rather as the trophies of victory, taken from Calvary on Easter morning. It can therefore be said that the main theme of the Picture is the mystery of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. The focal point of the Picture is to be founded in the clasping of the hands of the Mother and the Child. The right hand of the Mother welcomes the Son, thus stressing the humanity of Christ. The reality of the Incarnation can be seen, as well, in the gesture of the Child, showing the sole of His foot and clinging to His Mother, as if seeking the comfort of Mary. The hand of the Virgin, however, indicates at the same time the Son of God, highlighting the divine nature of Jesus. Mary, therefore, is represented as the Hodighitria, she who guides us to the Redeemer, to Him who is "the Way, the Truth and the Life". And she is our Help, who intercedes for us with her Son, who sacrificed His life for us on the Cross of Calvary. The star on the forehead of Our Lady accentuates the role which she has in the plan of our salvation: to be the Mother of God and Mother of all humanity.
As we contemplate the Icon of Perpetual Help, so rich in matter for meditation, we can grasp the sense of the Mystery of Christ and deepen our relationship with Him under the guidance of the Mother of Redeemer.
Devotion to
Our Lady
of Perpetual Help
According to tradition when handing over the Icon to the Redemptorist in 1866, Pope Pious IX expressed the desire that they should make her known to the world. From that time until present day, devotion to the Mother of Perpetual help has spread all over the world. Thousands of copies of the Picture have been dispatched throughout the world and there are many shrines where copies of the original Icon are venerated and regarded as miraculous.
Among the best known shrine are those in Boston and New York (USA), Haiti, where Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the Patroness of the country; Santiago (Chile, Curitiba, Belém and Manaus in Brazil, Tequisquiapan in Mexico; Belfast and Limerick in Ireland; Bussolengo in Italy; Torun and Cracow in Poland; Singapore and the most famous of all in Manila (Philippines).
The Perpetual Novena which began in St. Louis (USA) in 1927, has made a notable contribution to the spread of this devotion. The Novena has been called "Perpetual", because it is held on a fixed day each week of the year. During the Novena devotions, the faithful not only say the traditional prayer, but they also present written petitions and thanksgivings for favours received. There is also a meditation on some aspect of the spiritual life.
Each year in the month of June, in preparation for the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, there is a Solemn Novena in our Shrine, nine days of prayers and reflections the christian life.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Feast of the Mother of Perpetual Help: June 27.
(It is celebrated on the last Sunday of June and preceded by a Solemn Novena).
The Shrine is open:
Every day from 7 am. to 7.30 p.m. The Shrine has a special entrance for wheel-chairs.
Holy Mass schedule
Week days: 7.00 - 9.00 - 6.30 p.m.
Feast days: 7.00 - 9.30 (Polish) 11.15 (Italian) 12.30 (Polish) - 16 (English) - 18.30 (Italian)
Perpetual Novena:
Pilgrimages to the Shrine:
Arrangements should be made with the office of the Shrine to ensure proper reception.
Priests may celebrate Holy Mass with their groups if they have made reservations. The Shrine has liturgical books in different languages and can provide priests for the celebration of Mass in Italian, English, Polish, French, Spanish Portuguese, German and Filipino.
Sacristy
A special office receive intentions for Holy Masses and arranges for Papal Blessings. There is a small shop in the sacristy for souvenirs. Relics of Redemptorist Saints may also be obtained. Intentions for Holy Masses, Papal Blessings and souvenirs may be also ordered by fax or mail addressed to:
SANTUARIO DEL PERPETUO SOCCORSO
VIA MERULANA, 31 - 00185 ROME - ITALIA
TEL. / FAX +39-06-4949.0689
email: sanpersoc@cssr.com
We will be grateful
for any donation
you wish to send us
How to reach the Shrine:
By Metro: line A - metro-station Vittorio Emanuele (ask for "chiesa Sant'Alfonso" in Via Merulana); line B - metro-station Cavour
By Bus: from Termini Station #16; #714
Come and visit us!
Rome 1998