a Catholic Church
Corpus Christi Church
Clifton Nottingham
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A Tour of Corpus Christi Church Clifton Nottingham |
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Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour An ‘icon’ is a Christian picture that tells a story or teaches a truth. Traditionally, icons have been associated with the Eastern Church, but they also play a part in the Western Church. The Icon in the Lady Chapel is of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (or ‘Perpetual Help’). It tells of the Passion and death of Jesus and of the suffering of Mary his mother. The original picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour was painted on the island of Crete over 500 years ago. A merchant took the picture to Rome in 1498 and it remains there still. The first copy of the picture to leave Rome was brought to England by the Redemptorist order in 1866. Click here for the story told by the Icon. |
| The statue of Our Lady reminds us of the role Mary had in bring Jesus Christ, the Son of God, into the world. Mary, as mother, guided and supported her Child and , as in the Icon, she is depicted as supporting the Christ Child. But she also was instrumental in introducing and presenting him to the world, symbolised here by her right hand drawing back the covering over her child. The child Jesus is shown with arms extended, a gesture of greeting and welcome and indicating that eveyone is invited to come to him. Mary and the Christ Child are wearing white garments. White symbolises joy, purity and innocence. Here she is shown wearing a gold crown. Gold is used to symbolise heaven, the crown her Queenship. Amongst other descriptions, she is referred to as "Queen of Heaven", not in a monarchical sense but in recognition of her special place as Mother of God. |
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The Lady Chapel is used for weekday Mass, for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and for private prayer. Small candles, known as votive candles, may be lit to represent the prayers and petitions of those who light them. |
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