It is hard to imagine that it has been 100 years since the Association of the Miraculous Medal began in Perryville, Missouri. Fr. Joseph A. Finney, C.M., along with many dedicated brothers, priests, seminarians and lay people started what we know today as the Association of the Miraculous Medal. What began with just a small contingency of faithful members now has grown to hundreds of thousands. These last 100 years have, indeed, been a journey of faith!

Shortly after the first Miraculous Medals were distributed in 1832 in Paris, France, an Association was formed in order to spread devotion to Mary as Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Gradually, other Associations were established elsewhere in the world. Pope Pius X recognized these associations in 1905 and approved a charter in 1909.

Today, Saint Mary’s of the Barrens is not only the historic settlement of the area’s first Vincentians, but as you know, it is also home to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Our Lady’s Shrine is the center of prayer for the Association of the Miraculous Medal and our members throughout the world.

As we celebrate together the Association’s centennial anniversary, will you please send me your special prayer intentions to be placed at our Lady’s Altar? Simply fill out the form and I will make sure your intentions are included in the centennial Mass that will be celebrated by Archbishop Carlson and Bishop Rice on October 14 at 2 p.m., CT, here at our Lady’s Shrine. You are, of course, invited to join us in person for this Mass if you can be here!

Thanks to the vision and generosity of members like you, our Lady’s Shrine is in its best physical shape ever. The grotto has been carefully restored. A new Rosary Walk with lighting and memorial pavers has been completed, and includes bridges crossing a water feature. Beautiful bronze statues of Jesus and Mary will be installed in late September and a large bronze Miraculous Medal is already in place. The Shrine Church has been painted and updated, and a new outdoor welcome plaza gives a stunning first impression to our visitors and pilgrims.

I sincerely hope you can join us in person on Sunday, October 14, but if you cannot, please be sure to send me your prayer intentions to be included in the Mass. I also invite you to burn Votive Lights at the Shrine as a sign of your prayer for another 100 years of Mary’s miraculous intercession.

The message of the Miraculous Medal is now in its 188th year, and the Association’s work of spreading devotion to our Lady here in the United States is now in its 100th year. On behalf of all the Vincentian Family here in Perryville and throughout the world, thank you for your support!

I sincerely hope you can join us on October 14 as we celebrate together the miracle of God’s love through the intercession of our Blessed Mother. May our Lord’s grace be ever in your heart, and may the tender love of Mary envelop you and your loved ones now and forever.

Sincerely yours in Mary,

Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director

P.S. If you plan to attend the October 14 celebration, please contact the Association by September 14 by calling the Association staff at 573-768-7012, emailing us at RSVP@amm.org, or by texting AMMRSVP to 41411. Please indicate how many will be attending.