Rome, December 11, 2015
Dear Confreres, Sisters, Lay Associates and friends,
On December 11, 1865, Blessed Pope Pius IX accepted the request of Fr. Nicholas Mauron, C.Ss.R., Superior General, and entrusted the Icon of Mother of Perpetual Help to his care, with the instruction to “Make her known to the whole world!”
In January, the Redemptorists received the Icon from the Augustinians, and on April 26, 1866, Our Mother of Perpetual Help was restored to public veneration in the Church of St. Alphonsus, Rome.
In honour of this occasion, we received this message from the Holy Father, Pope Francis:
“Reverend Father Michael Brehl,
Superior General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pius IX entrusting of the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help to your Institute, the Holy Father hopes that this significant event will awaken a renewed and authentic devotion to the Holy Virgin, stirring the entire religious family and all who share in its charism to offer an ever more effective evangelical witness. With these wishes, His Holiness invokes, through the intercession of the Mother of the Redeemer, abundant heavenly graces, and sends the Apostolic Blessing.
From the Vatican, December 11, 2015
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Papal Secretary of State”
I invite you to share these greetings from the Holy Father with your community and with the people who gather to honour our Mother of Perpetual Help in our churches, parishes and shrines.
With gratitude, let us pray for God’s blessings on the Holy Father and his Petrine ministry. And may Our Mother of Perpetual Help continue to accompany us all with her tender love and care.
Your brother in the Redeemer,
Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R.
Superior General
