Is that a hint of fear in the eyes of baby Jesus? We’re standing here at the Église Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours. You might be struck by the icon of the Virgin Mary and Child. It’s a replica of a much older icon, once housed in Rome. Take a closer look at Jesus. He clutches his mother’s hand, one sandal dangling precariously. The original icon, dating back to the 15th century, depicts a terrified Christ Child clinging to his mother. Angels on either side bear the instruments of his future Passion: the cross, the nails, the spear. Mary, her gaze steady and knowing, looks directly at us. This portrayal of Mary, as a source of perpetual help, became incredibly popular in the 19th century. Pope Pius IX entrusted the Redemptorist Fathers with spreading her veneration. Here in Paris, the church echoes this mission. Built in the late 19th century by Redemptorist Brother Gérarr Grunblatt, the Église Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours features a soaring neo-Gothic spire and exquisite stained-glass windows. In a turbulent city, it stands as a beacon of hope. Just like Mary offers solace to Jesus, it offers solace to us all.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.