The heart of the chapel:
Story and tangible evidence united
Image below: you can see the icon of “Our Lady of Perpetual Help”, flanked on either side by two display cases. These are filled with (votive) gifts.
The heart of the chapel:
Story and tangible evidence united
Image below: you can see the icon of “Our Lady of Perpetual Help”, flanked on either side by two display cases. These are filled with (votive) gifts.
The language of gratitude
If you look closely at the display cases, you will see a rich collection of gifts. Each gift speaks its own language of gratitude:
Silver hearts: These often symbolise gratitude for inner healing, comfort in times of sorrow, or the answering of a prayer that was close to the giver’s heart.
Crosses and rosaries: Signs of renewed faith or thanks for protection during a difficult phase of life.
Other shapes: Sometimes you will see specific shapes (such as a leg or an eye), indicating gratitude for physical recovery.
Silent witnesses of today
These personal gifts are the ‘silent witnesses’ and form tangible proof that people still experience blessings today. In this way, the display cases form a living bridge between history and the present. Every gift is an encouragement to hold fast to faith amidst life’s storms. It is an invitation to seek support from Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
From living room to global icon
Trust in the icon began as early as the Middle Ages among private individuals who personally experienced its power. They became increasingly convinced that this miraculous icon did not belong in a living room, but in a church. This was later confirmed by the highest ecclesiastical authority: the grace that the icon radiates must be shared with the whole world. The historical panels (A to H) tell this remarkable story.
From the living room to a global icon
Faith in the icon began as early as the Middle Ages among private individuals who experienced its power first-hand. They became increasingly convinced that this miraculous icon did not belong in a living room, but in a church. This was later confirmed by the highest ecclesiastical authority: the grace that the icon radiates had to be shared with the whole world. The historical panels (A to H) tell this remarkable story.
It begins stormy.