Welcome to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Joliet, Illinois is a Catholic community of faith in the Diocese of Joliet established in March, 2025 from the consolidation of St. Mary Magdalene, St. Bernard and St. Anthony Parishes.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help is the title of a miraculous icon of the Madonna and Child of unknown origin brought from Crete to Rome in 1495 and placed in the Church of St. Matthew in 1499. When the Church was destroyed by Napoleon's army in 1796, the priests were able to protect the sacred icon and place it in the Church of St. Eusebius where it remained for several years before being relocated to the Church of St. Mary of Posterula.

Upon the wishes of Pope Pius IX, the image was entrusted to the Redemptorists and returned to the original site of the Church of St. Matthew for veneration in the newly built Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome in 1866.  Countless miracles attributed to the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help have been recorded from 1495 to the present day.

The icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is of Byzantine style.  There are many compelling symbols contained within the holy icon, including St. Michael the Archangel to the left, holding a lance and a spear with the vessel of vinegar and gall of Christ's Passion. To the right is St. Gabriel the Archangel, holding a cross and nails.  The solemn expression of Mary, with her head gently touching that of her Son as He grasps her right thumb with both hands and gazes toward the angels holding the instruments of His suffering, evokes deep compassion and love.

Despite a solemn aura of suffering and death, the Madonna and Child, surrounded by a golden radiance, strongly convey the triumph of Christ over sin and death.  The crowns on the heads of Jesus and Mary recognize Jesus as our Divine Redeemer, the King of Kings, with His beloved mother, the Queen of Heaven

Our Parish Feast Day of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is celebrated on June 27.

As a parish we focus on several areas: Our Worship as a people of faith; Continuing to build a community of believers; Evangelizing and outreach to new members; A sensitivity to the needs of the poor and suffering; and a shared responsibility to support the financial obligations of our parish.

St. Mary Magdalene Church

Our Church building was dedicated to the great woman of the New Testament, Mary of Magdala.  Because she is mentioned in all four Gospels, we can conclude that she was influential among early followers of Jesus.  We know that she was one of the women who aided Jesus in Galilee and that she, along with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, witnessed his crucifixion and burial. All four Gospels place her at the foot of the Cross with our Blessed Mother and the beloved disciple.

St. Mary Magdalene was the first person to actually see the Risen Christ.  Most importantly she was given a commission by Jesus to "go to my brothers." (John 20:17)  She went and joyfully announced to the other disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" (John 20:18)

Mary Magdalene is revered  as the "Apostle of the Apostles." She was sent by Jesus, Himself, to announce the "Good News" of the Resurrection.  She is indeed a saintly woman and worthy of imitation.  St. Mary Magdalene is remembered on her feast day, July 22.

MASS SCHEDULE
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP PARISH
St. Mary Magdalene Church

Fully ADA Accessible

  Official Facebook Page

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish

St. Mary Magdalene Church Office

Located in the School Building
201 S. Briggs Street
Joliet, Illinois 60433
815-722-7653
 

CONTRIBUTE TO
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP