Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine - St. Augustine, FL
N 29° 54.218 W 081° 18.848
17R E 469673 N 3308148
The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Shrine is located in an outdoor Byzantine-styled shelter at the Mission of Nombre de Dios in St. Augustine, Florida, USA.
Waymark Code: WMDKXB
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 01/28/2012
Views: 10
"This shrine ... consists of a beautiful mosaic of Our Lady of Perpetual Help housed in a Byzantine styled cupola. The imagery of this gold-laden mosaic icon displays Mary’s contemplation on the God-child of whom she is the vessel of honor. The cupola itself is known for its simplicity, appropriate as the holy abode for the humble Mother of Christ.
"Byzantine Rite Catholics, like Roman Catholics, share the same faith and doctrine of the Catholic Church. Both are united under the leadership of the Pope in Rome. Over two hundred Byzantine Rite Catholics attend the bi-annual pilgrimage to the Mission of Nombre de Dios to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The parishes of the Passaic Southern Deanery Diocese stretch from Miami, Florida to Passaic, New Jersey. The faithful pilgrims in the Passaic Diocese gave the icon replica to the Mission of Nombre de Dios as a gift of charity on October 1, 1988.
"The original portrait of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (or Succour) elegantly painted on wood first appeared in San Matteo in Rome, but the French invaded Rome in 1812 and destroyed the church. Rediscovered by the general public again in the early 1860’s at an Augustinian oratory, Pope Pius IX then ordered that it be venerated once again for the world to see at St. Alphonsus Church, built near the ruins of San Matteo where it now resides.
"Our Lady of Perpetual Help presents a portrait of the Blessed Virgin holding Christ in a loving, matriarchal embrace. Fixed above Jesus and Mary both crowned in glory, the Archangels Michael and Gabriel offer Christ the objects of his Passion as Mary mothers Jesus by coming to his aid when his sandal has come off. Looking more intently at the portrait, one notices Greek abbreviations translating to Mother of God, Jesus Christ, Archangel Michael, and Archangel Gabriel."
-- Source