Briefly, at the close of the 15th century a merchant stole the picture from its shrine on the island of Crete, miraculously weathered a tumultuous sea voyage and finally brought it to Rome there, before he died he gave it to a Roman friend, begging to have it placed on a worthy church. This friend neglected to do.

Our Lady then appeared, urging the Roman to comply with the request, threatening him even with death. At his wife's bidding, however, the man paid little heed to the apparition. Shortly after, he died.

Next Our Lady appeared to the little daughter of the family. "Go to your mother and grandfather." She commanded," and say to them: Holy Mary Of Perpetual Help warns you to take Her from your house; else all of you will soon die." The girl relayed the message to her mother. Panic stricken, the woman promised to obey.

Our Lady then told the little girl just where the picture should be placed: in the church "between the basilica of St. Mary Major and that of St. John Lateran." In solemn procession, on March 27 1499, it was carried to the church of St Matthew the Apostle. The same day a miracle occurred: a man's arm, crippled beyond use, was completely restored.

So, for 300 years, the picture hung over the main altar in the church of St. Matthew the Apostle, loved by all, renowned far and wide for miracles.

Then came June, 1798.  Napoleon entered Rome. The church of St. Matthew was leveled to the ground. The picture disappeared.

For sixty-four years it remained hidden, almost forgotten, until… one day at recreation, in the Redemptorist house in Rome, one of the Fathers mentioned having read, in an old tomb, that their present church, San Alfonso, was built on the ruins of St Matthew's where once was enshrined a miraculous picture: Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The name startled Father Michael Marchi. He recalled as a boy having served Mass in the oratory of the Irish Augustinians at Santa Maria in Posterula. There he had seen the picture. An old Brother had pointed it out to him.

Some month later, in February, Father Francis Blosi, S.J., preaching in the Gesus on "the lost Madonna of Perpetual Help," told how it was Our Lady's wish that the picture be enshrined in the church" between the basilicas of St. Mary Major and St John Lateran." Word got back to the Redemptorist. The Superior General was informed But he waited three more years. He want to be certain.

Finally, on December 11, 1865 the whole matter was presented to Pope Pius IX.  On January 1866 the miraculous picture was brought once more to the site of its former glory the church between the two basilicas, now that of San Alfonso. Three months later, it was solemnly enshrined. And on June 23 1867, it was crowned with a golden crown, placed on picture by order of the Holy See in 1867 as a token and witness of the miracles wrought by Our Lady invoked under the title of "Perpetual Help".

Information below provided by the Redemptorists of New York, 294 East 150th St. Bronx NY

Copied from Redemptorists-Denver Province in Chicago
 
Our Mother of Perpetual Help is a Byzantine icon that is believed to have its origin sometime during the 13th -15th century.

The icon is known for being miraculous; over the centuries countless healings and special graces have been attributed to it, so much so that the image has been honored and venerated by many Popes.

The miraculous icon is painted on wood and measures about 20″ in height (54 x 41.5 centimeters) and depicts the Virgin Mary, under the title “Mother of God,” holding the Child Jesus.


Reference the icon map above while reading our guide to the Icon below:

1: Greek Characters: Largest and near the top of the icon, we see the Greek letters ΜΡ θΥ = Mother of God; over the angel on the right is inscribed O AP M = the Archangel Michael; over the angel on the left is O AP I O = the Archangel Gabriel

2: Mary’s Star: Reminds us she is the dawn announcing the coming of Jesus. It symbolizes the role of Mary in the mystery of Christ and the Church. The star indicates that she is the one who will lead us to Christ.

3: Mary’s Eyes: Mary’s eyes are filled with compassion and love, are fixed on us, her children on earth. She is our source of constant comfort and hope. Her eyes draw all who look into her face toward the mystery of Redemption which she holds in her arms.

4: Archangel Michael: He is holding a lance, a pole with a sponge, and a vessel of vinegar. These prefigure scenes from Jesus’ crucifixion. The Archangel’s veiled hands inculcate reverence for holy things.

5: Archangel Gabriel: Gabriel is holding a cross and nails, the very instruments of the coming death that has driven the boy Jesus to His mother’s dafe embrace. His veiled hands inculcate reverence for holy things.

6: Mary’s Cloak: The colors of Mary’s cloak symbolize both her virginity (red) and motherhood (blue). These are also the colors of royalty.

7: Mary’s Hands & Arms: Mary’s hands and arms hold Jesus in a manner that indicates she is presenting Him to us. Her flat pointing right hand points directly into the heart of the Christ Child, up to the Cross the angel is holding. Her left hand position, along with the view of the right hand, is one of presenting the Child to those who stand before the icon as she says: “Receive the Word of God.”

8: The Face of Jesus: The Christ Child looks out beyond the instruments of His passion to our future redemption. While Jesus’ body is that of a child, His face is more mature, symbolizing wisdom beyond His years.

9: Jesus’ Hands: The joining of his hands with his mother’s signify the perfect conformity of Mary’s will with Her Son’s, and that together with Him, she participated in the work of the Redemption.

10: Jesus’ Clothes: His green tunic symbolizes His humanity and creation. The red sash around His waist symbolizes the Blood of Christ shed for our salvation. The gold cloak is symbolic of the Resurrection. Together, the colors of the garments are a statement of the Incarnation, Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ.

11. Mary’s Face & Mouth: The smallness of her mouth teaches us to be silent before the presence of God.

12. Jesus’ Feet & Sandals: The falling sandal informs us that He became human like us in all things but sin. Showing his heel is from the promise of God in the book of Genesis 3:15.: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

13. The Gold Background: The gold background represents heaven and the divine light of the Resurrection shining through the garments of Jesus and Mary entering into the one praying before the image. The original picture is painted on wood, in colors of the composition designated by artists as tempera. Its proportions are twenty-one inches in height and seventeen inches in width.