The Association of the Miraculous Medal spreads devotion to Jesus through Mary by sharing the Miraculous Medal she entrusted to Saint Catherine Labouré nearly 193 years ago. Throughout 2023, we hope you will send us your special intentions for remembrance in our daily Mass and prayers. You may always burn a Votive Light to express praise and gratitude, or in an appeal for ongoing needs in your life. Request free Miraculous Medals at any time — each medal is presented on a beautiful keepsake card with the Miraculous Medal story.  

Our Lady keeps you close to her heart at every moment. Placing yourself in her tender and loving care will bring you nearer to God. Know that you remain in our daily prayers.  

Read Father Kevin’s letter sharing an inspiring story of a recent Olympic medalist who wore a Miraculous Medal throughout the competition.

It is fitting that the Church’s premier Marian feast be celebrated on the first day of the new calendar year. In accepting God’s call to be the Mother of God, the ever Immaculate Virgin ushered in history’s most important new beginning for the benefit of all people. 

God willed that Mary not only serve as an earthly mother to Jesus, but also as a spiritual mother to all God’s children on earth. We do well to return God’s love through her. 

As Saint Louis de Montfort writes, “In giving ourselves to Jesus through Mary's hands, we imitate God the Father, who gave us his only Son through Mary, and who imparts his graces to us only through Mary. Likewise we imitate God the Son, who by giving us his example for us to follow, inspires us to go to him using the same means he used in coming to us, that is, through Mary. Again, we imitate the Holy Spirit, who bestows his graces and gifts upon us through Mary.”

When a relative or friend is grieving a recent loss or the anniversary of a death, your kindness and compassion can be a great comfort.  Share the consoling gift of prayer by sending this beautiful Memorial Remembrance Card to the bereaved in your name. It offers the deceased loved one a remembrance in the daily Mass and prayers at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal for one year. 

You may also burn a Votive Light inside the Shrine’s beautiful Votive Light Sanctuary for your departed loved ones.

 Read Fr. Kevin’s letter here. It shares more about how the Memorial Remembrance Card can bring hope to someone in a moment of need.

Dana, who lost her young daughter in 2017 wrote, “It is so comforting to know that I am not on this journey alone … Thank you for continuing to hold us in prayer. I pray for you all and your families.” 

What legacy do you wish to leave through your words, your actions, and your wealth? It is an important question posed in this season’s Rays of Light. This special newsletter invites AMM members and friends to pass on faith for the future by supporting religious charities like the Association of the Miraculous Medal. You may also receive the free brochure offered in this issue. “Five Ways to Make the Most of Your Gifts” offers a brief description of a few tax-advantaged giving options that can help you plan for tomorrow’s support for loved ones and the causes closest to your heart. Thank you for your generous support that will ensure the future for Our Lady’s mission being carried out here at the National Shrine in Perryville.

 

“The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children.”

Proverbs 13:22

In honor of Our Blessed Mother’s birthday on Thursday, September 8, we will begin an octave of prayer here at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. There’s no better occasion to entrust your intentions to the Mother of God. Maybe your intentions include a remembrance for a loved one’s healing, the soul of a deceased relative, someone’s return to the faith, or you want to offer a prayer of gratitude for favors and blessings received. Mary welcomes your special appeal as a sign of your faith in the goodness of her Son, Jesus. You may also burn a Votive Light in Our Lady’s honor. Its rays will symbolize your spiritual presence at the Shrine.  Read Fr. Kevin’s letter to learn more about the birthday candle being created by thousands of faithful members.

It’s back to school time! Please join AMM members in praying for all students and educators. Click here to share the names of those you’d like remembered in the daily Mass and prayers offered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal throughout the coming school year. You may also order the Association’s new “Back to School” greeting card to mail to a special student, educator, or family. You might also be interested in our “Backpack Mary Medal” to give to your child, grandchild, or educator. It can be clipped to a backpack or purse. Would you like to share Our Lady’s Miraculous Medal as an expression of your faith-filled wisdom? Request up to 500 free, blessed Miraculous Medals here to distribute to area schoolchildren, educators, and family members. Each comes on an attractive fold-over card featuring its fascinating origin. (Browse AMM’s online gift shop for more medal options.) As Fr. Kevin’s letter reminds us, the quest for knowledge is always a journey toward Our Lord, from whom all truth flows.

It was the night of July 18, 1830. With these words, Sister Catherine Labouré’s guardian angel announced the first appearance of Mary to the young Daughter of Charity. As we remember this anniversary during our Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on Sunday, July 18, you are invited to request Mary’s intercession for your special intentions. Your petitions will be placed at the foot of Our Blessed Mother’s Shrine Altar. You may also burn a Votive Light alongside the thousands already lit by fellow AMM members. Did you know that along the Shrine’s outdoor Rosary Walk stands a marble carving of Catherine’s first apparition of Our Lady? This video highlights the statue. It depicts that touching moment when Catherine knelt at Mary’s side in complete love and devotion.