Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Marian title of Port-au-Prince (National)
Recognized by the Church

The Haitian Constitution of 1918 recognized Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours as patron of Haiti and protector of the nation. Tradition links this election to a national vote attributed to President Lysius Salomon, later renewed by civil and ecclesiastical authorities in contexts of epidemics and calamities. There is also a very widespread pious tradition according to which Haiti would have been rid of a large smallpox epidemic in the 19th century (usually located in 1882) by intercession of the Perpetuo Socorro; the exact text and date of the first vote do not consist of accessible documentary sources.

Main data

Origin and history

The Haitian Constitution of 1918 recognized Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours as patron of Haiti and protector of the nation. Tradition links this election to a national vote attributed to President Lysius Salomon, later renewed by civil and ecclesiastical authorities in contexts of epidemics and calamities. There is also a very widespread pious tradition according to which Haiti would have been rid of a large smallpox epidemic in the 19th century (usually located in 1882) by intercession of the Perpetuo Socorro; the exact text and date of the first vote do not consist of accessible documentary sources.

The image and the sanctuary

En Puerto Príncipe la devoción mariana principal, junto a la catedral de la Asunción, es la del Perpetuo Socorro, centro de la devoción nacional. Los detalles arquitectónicos del templo (fecha de construcción, autor) no constan en las fuentes accesibles. El título canónico de «basílica» no consta.

Sponsorship and coronation

Patron of Haiti, recognized by the 1918 Constitution. Canonical coronation is not recorded.

Party and devotion

Su fiesta se celebra el 27 de junio. El pueblo la invoca como «Maman Marie du Perpétuel Secours», especialmente en tiempos de violencia y crisis; los misioneros relatan que los fieles llenan las iglesias para encomendar la nación a María y ofrecen misas de acción de gracias cuando los secuestrados son liberados.

Link to the Rosary

As a patron named in the tribulation, the Perpetual Relief brings together the Haitian people around the Rosary prayer for peace and for the victims. In it, Marian prayer becomes a safe haven, coming to Mary as Mother who holds the nation in its darkest hours.