Our Mother of Perpetual Help Baclaran Church
Location: Redemptorist Road, Baclaran, Parañaque, Metro Manila
The Mother of Perpetual Help begins her Philippine history only in the present century with the coming of the Redemptorists to Cebu in 1906. It was like a new star appearing in the sky, yet how brightly it began to shine. How quickly and how universally the radiance of Mary's new title captivated the Filipino heart. By 1948, when the perpetual Novena began in Baclaran, her name was almost a household word in the Philippines and something that would soon be spoken of around the world. Since then, devotion to the Mother of Perpetual Help spread steadily from all the Redemptorists centers.
It is not Baclaran Church that makes the Novena, rather it is the novena that is responsible for the church. And so, it is at this very unusual novena that we must take a hard look now. Foreign visitors who see the novena for the first time, all say the same thing: "We've read about it and we've seen pictures, but no one can describe or even imagine it. You just have to see it for yourself. It is a deep personal experience."
People come to the novena because they are in need, they continue to come because it meets their needs: their prayers are being heard. If God does not give that they are asking, or if He delays to answer their request, He never sends them away empty-handed. He gives them other graces that will help them more. This same thing has been noticed at Lourdes. Thousands come there with very serious ailments, hoping and praying for a cure, even by miracle. Relatively, few receive that favor, yet no one leaves there with a sad heart. Courage and strength and new hope has been given them.
"Be ready to intercede with every form of help for each human heart and all the peoples...especially for those who have heavy ordeals in life due to suffering, poverty and every form of afflictions. Mary of Perpetual Help, accept this humble offering and place ot in the Heart of Your Son..."
-Pope John Paul II
