WOMEN’S CONFRATERNITY 
The Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and St. Alphonsus

 
The original confraternity of Our Lady was established in the Redemptorist church of San Alfonso in Rome in 1871. Saint Alphonsus was chosen as its secondary patron because of his great devotion to Mary. A branch of this confraternity was founded in Clonard in 1897 by Father Patrick Griffith. The day was June 20th, the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. On the following Sunday when the first meeting took place more than 700 women attended. Father Griffith remained as Director until 1904. From the beginning the confraternity attracted ever increasing numbers. When the Golden Jubilee of founding was celebrated in 1947 the total membership was 7,569. The members have always had a tremendous enthusiasm for their confraternity, inspired no doubt by their love for the Mother of Perpetual Succour. "My Clonard Sunday" was a special day for them. The confraternity was part of their lives, a veritable powerhouse of grace. Despite the shrinking numbers of today this is still the case.

 
 

 

One of the many special confraternity celebrations.

 

The Archconfratemity
How to Join the Archconfraternity
of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
The Archconfratemity is a worldwide spiritual organization whose members are united for the express purpose of honoring and serving the Mother of God under the special title of "Our Mother of Perpetual Help." It is canonically established at the church of St. Alphonsus in Rome, where the original miraculous image of Our Mother of Perpetual Help is venerated.

 

To become a member of the Archconfratemity, it is necessary

to be enrolled by name at a church or shrine where a confratemity is canonically erected (any Catholic in good standing is eligible); and
to recite the Act of Consecration:
Act of Consecration to Our Mother of Perpetual Help
"United with the members of our confraternity here and throughout the world, we consecrate ourselves to your service. We promise to renew this dedication once a month and frequently to receive the sacraments. We beg you to obtain for us the grace to imitate your great servant, St. Alphonsus, in his love for you and your Son."

Members are urged (not obligated):

1. to renew this Act of Consecration once a month,

2. to have recourse to our Mother of Perpetual Help in every need;

3. to have a Perpetual Help picture in their homes;

4. to wear a medal of Our Mother of Perpetual Help;

5. to spread this devotion among others.
 

The women's Confraternity
in prayer.