Greetings from the Association of the Miraculous Medal, our Lady’s National Shrine in Perryville, Missouri, where literally thousands of prayer intentions from around the country are received every month.

These heartfelt prayer requests cover the full range of human needs and emotions. For every message of praise and thanksgiving to God for his continued blessing, we receive another that is, instead, a sorrowful plea for God’s healing, mercy, and forgiveness.

The heavy words and sometimes tear stained pages that arrive in our office here at Mary’s Association become the offering that we confidently lay down at the foot of her altar. We know from the message and mission of Saint Catherine Labouré, who received the Miraculous Medal from the Mother of God in France in the year 1830, that Mary promises to obtain God’s grace for all who ask.

I invite you to join us at our Blessed Mother's Altar during the Our Lady of Sorrows Novena, beginning on September 6 in preparation for the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15. We will remember you at those Masses, and your petitions will be placed at Mary's Altar.

Mary is Our Lady of Sorrows. She carries this honored title because she knows and experiences sorrow as deeply and as painfully as anyone possibly can. She witnessed the excruciating passion and crucifixion of her only Son, unable to help him….except by her prayers.

Many letters we receive here at our Lady’s Shrine, such as this one from Angela in New York, attest to Mary’s faithful, maternal intercession.

“Through all my loneliness and illness, Mary has never left my side. Every time I turn to her she gives me her gentle touch and helps me get through it all.I am especially devoted to the Miraculous Medal and carry it with me always. I like to give it to people in need and who are ill and experiencing difficult times."

This is how Our Lady of Sorrows comforts her children, and she is waiting now to comfort you and your loved ones!

Please send us your petitions to be remembered during Our Lady's Novena.I hope that the enclosed prayer card will increase your confidence in our Lady’s promise to obtain God’s grace for you. Please join us in spirit, prayer, and meditation as we pray for you and other Association members during the Our Lady of Sorrows Novena, September 6-14. Your intentions will be prayerfully remembered at our Lady's Shrine.

Thank you for your loving support. With your help, our Lady’s Association is increasing devotion to Mary and bringing hearts to the hopeful grace of our Lord Jesus. May God bless you, and may our Blessed Mother keep you in her tender, maternal care.

Sincerely yours in Our Lady of Sorrows,

Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director

P.S. As a sign of your spiritual presence at our Lady's Shrine, I also invite you to burn a Votive Light for your intentions. It will be a symbol of your desire to be filled with the joy she wants to obtain from her Son.