The Prayer of Gazing

Move into a deeper, more contemplative prayer life with Our Mother of Perpetual Help. This course is a guide for developing a contemplative prayer practice through gazing on the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. When we pray before the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help—as we surrender our self-preoccupation and become truly still—love for Christ and his Mother will awaken in us. The countenance of the icon will shine forth and radiate to our heart.

The course consists of five sessions of instruction on the prayer of gazing before the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. The first three sessions are primarily devoted to learning the actual practice necessary to quiet the mind and develop a receptive spirit for prayer. The last two days deal with the symbolism of the Icon and its significance as a vehicle for prayer and contemplation. Each day begins with an Introduction to the lesson at hand, followed by Assessment Questions that will orient you to the day’s materials. The heart of each lesson is the Reflection section which follows. It serves as an in-depth guide to the day’s primary topic. Finally, there is a Practice section that offers progressive instructions on the prayer of gazing.

The course can be completed in five days or repeated over a period of weeks or months. It offers a unique approach to prayer that can be a springboard for your deepening devotion to Our Mother, and a growing sense of joy and peace.

The course was developed by the Redemptorists of the Denver Province. We also encourage you to learn more about the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help on our site dedicated to her.