Frightened by the vision of two angels showing Him the instruments of the Passion, the child Jesus has run to His Mother, almost losing, in His haste, one of His sandals. Mary holds Him in Her arms reassuringly and lovingly. Notice Her eyes. They look not at Jesus, but at us. Is this not a touch of genius? How better to express Our Lady's plea to us to avoid sin and love Her Son?

 Jesus' little hands are pressed into Mary's as a reminder to us that, just as on earth, He placed Himself entirely in Her hands for protection, so now in Heaven He has given into Her hands all graces, to distribute to those who ask Her.

This is the principal message of the icon.