What is being specifically praised in the invocation of Our Lady of Perpetual Help is not that the Blessed Virgin Mary helps us often, liberally and tenderly, but the fact that this help is perpetual.
Whatever evil we commit, however shamelessly we take advantage, however inconceivable our ingratitude, however great the risk, however extraordinary is the miracle implored, however extreme and improbable the aid sought – provided it is not something bad in itself – the Mother of Perpetual Help will attend us.
She is, therefore, the Mother who is glorified in attending always, in helping always, in listening always, so that there is no possible hypothesis in which we, praying to Her, would not be helped.
She may even delay the moment of granting what we ask, but it is to then give us a hundredfold, coming to us with her hands laden with multiplied gifts.
Happy are those whom Our Lady is slow to answer!
Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
