Perpetual Help in Albania

As always, She precedes us. We have found in the walls of the College of the Daughters of Christ the King of Gjirokastra or at the entrance of the community of the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa, in the center of Tirana.
But the catholics of the churches that are part of the Redemptorist Mission in Albania not know our Mother of Perpetual Help, and our community got down to work to “make it known,” according to the mandate that makes 150 years awarded Pope Pius IX to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
The first task was to find a translation for her name. We had two difficulties. On the one hand, this language so old use the same word for help, aid and socor. Second, it was difficult to transport the expression “perpetual” to Albanian adjectives: forever, for all the life, constantly, etc. In the end, we opted for “Nënë e Ndihmës së Përhershme”, literally, in English, would be “Mother of every time Help.”
The second task was to place the icon in all our churches. We brought from Poland an Icon blessed to preside the foundation of Albania, and was placed on the altar of the church where the community lives, Kamëz. Later, before Christmas 2014, we placed the icon in the other churches (Bathore, Luz and Arrameras). We receive it printed with the Albanian name, thanks to the generosity and devotion of the mother of Father Manuel Cabello CSSR.
Thirdly, it was time to explain to the peolpe the message and spirituality of the icon. To do this, nothing better to do through children and youth. During the summer camps, we work the message icon and also the story of his arrival in Rome. Of course, everyone knew why is She the Mother of the Redemptorist Missions.
And finally, begins the step of extending devotion and prayer with St. Mary of Perpetual Help. Since September 2015, in the parish of Kamëz, we celebrate every Tuesday the Perpetual Novena, during the Eucharist, with the traditional invocations and a special blessing.
For us it is interesting to note that while in our Provinces and communities of Europe is celebrated a long story, here we are still building it. And this is our gift to Her in her jubilee year.
Atë Laureano Del Otero Sevillano CSSR