Our Mother of Perpetual Help on Repentance

The Blessed Virgin Mary is called, and is truly, the Perpetual Help of all the unfortunates for whom the most loving Mother seems to reserve her most tender glances and whom She makes the special object of Her most compassionate concern: they are the poor sinners, and it is easy to understand the reason behind that predilection.

The greater the misfortune of a child, the more maternal love increases. Well then, what greater misfortune is there than that of being separated from Jesus and being chained to the shameful slavery of the devil?

By losing sanctifying grace, the unhappy one has made himself the target of divine anger; the ire of God's clamors against him, and if death should surprise him, oh what calamity! His lot would be among the reprobate.

That is why the kindest of mothers pours out on Her children, the sinners, all the treasures of the mercy and tenderness of Her maternal Heart. 

She attracts them with the sweetness of Her name: Mother of Perpetual Help; with the fame of Her miracles and even with Her merciful glance.

• How many sinners have not felt moved and converted on exchanging glances with this miraculous Virgin! That glance, filled with sadness and compassion, seems to say to the sinner: Unfortunate one! How long? 
• How long will you afflict with your offences the tender Son you see in my arms?
• How long will you offer Him gall and vinegar, rendering His passion and death useless?
• How long will you afflict Me, your Mother, and thrust into My Heart, one after the other, most cruel swords?
• How long will you persist in running toward eternal abyss? My child, how long?. . 

Tender words that only the heart hears; wondrous words that illuminate the understanding, soften the hardened heart, melt it, and finally, wrest from it that cry of the repentant prodigal: "I have sinned, my God; forgive me, forgive me"

His tears flow abundantly and the Virgin presents them to Her beloved Son, and the sinner is converted.  

Say if it is not so, you who have found before Her image repentance, life, pardon, peace and joy in your heart. Is it surprising then, that among the wonders the Virgin of Perpetual Help works everyday, the stupendous conversions due to Her intercession number in the thousand!

So certain it is, that a pious writer said, 

"I do not know of any more efficacious nor more rapid means to obtain the conversion of a sinner than to inspire in him, a tender and sincere devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help."

And why would that wonder working image want to be entrusted to a congregation of missionaries, accompanying them, to the most remote towns and going in search of a stray sheep in the most unknown and forgotten cottages?

Thus, beloved sinner, no matter what the number or the gravity of your faults, no matter how hardened your heart, all is not yet lost for you. Lift your spirits! Take courage! Have recourse to Our Mother of Perpetual Help and you will obtain forgiveness. She is the most safe refuge of the sinner who sincerely wants to return to his God.

Tell Her then, with all your heart: 

"O Mother of Perpetual Help! Filled with confidence in Thy kindness and mercy, I throw myself at Thy feet. I come wounded with the arrow of repentance. My having offended God grieves me; my Mother, obtain for me true repentance and forgiveness"

You will see that this benign Mother will make you return to grace and to friendship with your God. Amen!