Notre-Dame de Bon Secours

The Blessed Virgin Mary of Succour, also known as “Succurre Miseris” or simply Our Lady of Good Help (or “of good help”), or of Perpetual Help, is one of the names by which the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Churches venerate the Virgin Mary, the Theotokos, mother of Jesus Christ according to his human nature.

Formerly present in the East from the beginning of the 4th century, this devotion gained momentum in the 14th century on the Italian peninsula and, carried by the Augustinians, spread throughout Europe and the entire Christian world. Numerous churches, chapels, and sanctuaries are dedicated to the “Virgin of Good Help” on all continents.

In terms of iconography, she is generally depicted carrying the Infant Jesus in her arm, holding a staff in her hand, ready to strike the demon, who is on the ground beneath her feet. There are multiple local variants of this Marian representation.