The Icon: Prayer Without Words

Saint Luke is the patron of iconographers. It is believed he became the first iconographer when he created an image of Mary as the Mother of God. The tradition that Saint Luke “wrote” icons of Mary and Jesus is common, particularly in the Eastern Church. This tradition also has support from the Christians of India, who claim to have one of the original icons written by Saint Luke and brought to India by Saint Thomas. After Saint Luke, two of the most talented and admired iconographers are Theophanes the Greek and Andrei Rublev. The Eastern Church has set these men forth as examples for all iconographers to follow.

All Orthodox churches and most Catholic churches have an icon of Mary, the Mother of God, gracing one of their alcoves. Images include the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, the Mother of God of Vladimir, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, the Irish Madonna of Hungary, and many others. The oldest known icon is that of the enthroned Virgin and Child with saints and angels. This icon resides in Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai in Egypt and dates back to the sixth century.

When we gaze upon the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, it becomes clear a spiritual story is being told. The Child Jesus, frightened by the instruments of his future passion—the sharp lance, the sponge of bitter gall, the horrific nails, and the cross—runs and jumps into his mother’s arms. Jesus holds tightly to Mary’s hand as he stares at the angels. It’s obvious Jesus wants and needs Mary’s presence, warmth, and protection. In the process of this running and jumping, Jesus nearly loses his sandal, so it hangs from his foot with a broken strap.
In the icon, Mary’s embrace softens Jesus’ fears. She will certainly help her Son through this time of turmoil. Mary’s eyes, however, are not looking at Jesus; her eyes are looking outward at us. Her hands are turned upward to cradle and comfort anyone who, like Jesus, needs her help. Just as God holds Mary close to his heart, so Mary holds Jesus over her heart. Of course, this is an invitation to us. God will hold us, through Mary, close to God’s own heart, especially in times of fear, anxiety, and struggle.

Praying with icons is an ancient practice that involves cultivating a posture of stillness and an attitude of listening. To engage in this form of prayer, we first place ourselves before the icon, keeping our eyes wide open, and focus on simply being in God’s presence. We touch and feel the divine mystery, a sense of holiness, a feeling of sacredness. Icons are windows into heaven, into closeness with God. If we sit with an icon long enough, we too can enter into the stillness and communion with God, Jesus, and Mary. If we quiet ourselves and listen to the icon with our hearts, God will speak to us.

The Redemptorist priests and brothers continue in their mission to make the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help known throughout the world. You can help us in this endeavor by having the icon enshrined in your home and by praying the weekly perpetual novena. Mary has been a perpetual help to Jesus, the Apostles, and Christians throughout the ages. May she be your Mother of Perpetual Help today!

Father Paul Coury is associate director of the Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, Arizona. Copies of the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and the novena prayers are available through Liguori Publications. For more information, call 800-325-9521 or visit liguori.org.