The foundation began in Venezuela in 1986 and is the Custody of the Stamp of the Virgin of Perpetual Relief.
At the Our Lady of Perpetual Relief Foundation we work so that parishioners can find peace and pray to Our Lady in the chapel, where in addition to praying in gratitude and petition they may find love. Just as those most in need find food for their bodies, they also find peace and love for their hearts in Our Virgin's dining room. To achieve this goal, we receive contributions from private entities.
HISTORY
In Turmero, an hour and a half from Caracas, since 1986 “miraculous” oil has been constantly emanating from a print of the Virgin of Perpetual Relief received by anointed Ms. Odette Idlvi, of Syrian origin who since then devoted himself day and night to spreading the facts and giving such Blessings to parishioners who from different countries have visited the House of Our Lady of Turmero , which has more than 10 large books with the testimonies of miracles received by the belief in the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Advocation of Perpetual Relief, written by the thousands of people healed by the Mother of Jesus.
It is a wonder of Damascus where the stamp came from, which today, as far as the end of 2019, is still emanating oil. This exceptional manifestation has been evaluated by Cardinals and Priests sent by the Holy Catholic See and recently endorsed by the Bishop of the State Aragua, Venezuela, who was present in the Dining Room of the House of La Virgen, where today more than 1,000 people are already receiving two meals daily. Visits to the Chapel of Our Lady are attended by Amalia Haddad, representing Odette, who together with the collaborators will attend to them with affection and give the Blessings.
MEANING OF THE PICTURE
Frightened by the vision of two angels who show him the instruments of the Passion, the Child Jesus has run towards his Mother, losing almost one of his little sandals in his hasty flight.. Mary holds him in her arms in a protective and loving way. But pay attention to his eyes. His gaze is fixed not on Jesus but on us. Isn't this detail a touch of genius? What better way to express Our Lady's interest in our lives and spiritual growth? The small hands of Jesus are also subject to Mary's as a way of reminding us that, just as on earth He put himself entirely in his hand seeking protection, so now in heaven He entrusts each of us in his tender and loving care. This is the main message of the painting, a Byzantine icon, which, however, is full of other symbols. Here are some of them:
- Initials in Greek for “Mother of God”.
- crown. It was added to the original painting by order of the Holy See in 1867. It is a tribute to the many miracles worked by Our Lady under the advocation of the “Perpetual Relief”.
- Star in the veil of Our Lady. She is the Star of the Sea, who brought the light of light into the world in darkness. the star that leads us to the safe harbor of Heaven.
- Initial Greek for “St. Michael, the Archangel”. It holds the spear and sponge of the Passion of Christ.
- Initial Greek for “St. Gabriel, the Archangel”. Hold the cross and the nails.
- Mary’s mouth. It’s small to mean a silent gathering. She speaks little.
- Mary’s eyes. They’re big for all our problems. They’re always turned to us.
- Red robe. The colors worn by virgins in the time of Christ.
- Greek initials for “Jesus Christ”.
- The hands of Christ. With the palms face down and inside his mother’s, they indicate that the graces of redemption are in his custody.
- Yellow background. It is the symbol of heaven, where Jesus and Mary are now enthroned. Yellow also shines through their clothes, thus showing the heavenly happiness it can bring to the weary human hearts.
- Dark blue mantle. It’s the color mothers used in Palestine. Mary is both both virgin and mother.
- Mary’s left hand. He sustains Christ possessively. She’s his mother. It’s a comforting hand for anyone who comes to her.
- Dropped sandal. Has Jesus almost lost his sandal running towards Mary in search of comfort in the thought of his Passion?
SAN ALFONSO CHURCH AND PERPETUAL HELP SANCTUARY
Our Lady of Perpetual Help party- June 27th.
On June 27th, the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Patroness of the Redemptorist Fathers and whose original icon is on the Church of San Alfonso’s main altar, is celebrated.
This image recalls the care of the Virgin by Jesus, from her conception to her death, and that today continues to protect her children who come to her.
It is said that in the 15th century, a wealthy merchant from the Mediterranean Sea had the painting of Perpetual Help, although it is unknown how it came into his hands. To protect the painting from being destroyed, he decided to take it to Italy, and a terrible storm broke out on the journey.
After a while, the merchant fell ill and, before he died, made his friend promise that he would take the painting to an illustrious church. However, the friend’s wife became fond of the painting, and the friend did not fulfill his promise.
On several occasions, our Lady appeared to the man, asking him to comply, but he did not want to upset his wife, he fell ill and died. Later the Virgin spoke with the six-year-old daughter and gave her the same message that she wanted the painting to be put in a church. The little girl told her Mother.
The Mother was scared, and a neighbor who made fun of what happened suffered such severe pain that she was only relieved when she repentantly invoked the help of the Virgin and touched the painting. Our Lady reappeared to the girl and told her that the painting should be placed in the Church of San Mateo, which was between the Basilicas Santa María la Mayor and St. John Lateran. Finally, this was done, and great miracles were worked.
The Redemptorists built the Church of San Alfonso on the ruins of the Church of San Mateo. In their investigations, they discovered that before there was the miraculous painting of Perpetual Help and that the Augustinians had it. Thanks to a Jesuit priest, they learned of the Virgin’s desire to be honored in that place.
Thus, the superior of the Redemptorists requested Blessed Pius IX, who ordered that the painting be returned to the Church between Santa María la Mayor and San Juan de Letrán. Likewise. he commissioned the Redemptorists to make Our Lady of Perpetual Help known.
Once they knew the history and the desire of the Pontiff, the Augustinians gladly returned the Marian image to please the Virgin.
Today the devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help has spread to various places, building churches and shrines in her honor. The portrait of her is known and revered in all parts of the world.