Byzantine Rite Catholics, like Roman Catholics, share the same faith and doctrine of the Catholic Church. Both are united under the leadership of the Pope in Rome. Over two hundred Byzantine Rite Catholics attend the bi-annual pilgrimage to the Mission of Nombre de Dios to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The parishes of the Passaic Southern Deanery Diocese stretch from Miami, Florida to Passaic, New Jersey. The faithful pilgrims in the Passaic Diocese gave the icon replica to the Mission of Nombre de Dios as a gift of charity on October 1, 1988.

The original portrait of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (or Succour) elegantly painted on wood first appeared in San Matteo in Rome, but the French invaded Rome in 1812 and destroyed the church. Rediscovered by the general public again in the early 1860’s at an Augustinian oratory, Pope Pius IX then ordered that it be venerated once again for the world to see at St. Alphonsus Church, built near the ruins of San Matteo where it now resides.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help presents a portrait of the Blessed Virgin holding Christ in a loving, matriarchal embrace. Fixed above Jesus and Mary both crowned in glory, the Archangels Michael and Gabriel offer Christ the objects of his Passion as Mary mothers Jesus by coming to his aid when his sandal has come off. Looking more intently at the portrait, one notices Greek abbreviations translating to Mother of God, Jesus Christ, Archangel Michael, and Archangel Gabriel.

To be sure, the Byzantine rite and the Latin rite both draw inspiration and devotion to Mary from scripture, the main instance being Luke 1:46-55. Both sects incorporate this passage known as the Magnificat to Roman Catholics and to Eastern Catholics as the Canticle of Mary into their liturgical year:

And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers.”