“A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them.”
I love this sentiment by the French poet, Victor Hugo — especially when I picture Mary with her baby, Jesus. And when her only Son no longer needed to be cradled in his mother’s arms, she opened them to all of humanity … inviting each of us to rest in the love and safety of her maternal embrace.
In a year like 2020, many of us have never needed Mary’s tender touch so much as we do right now.
Are you in need of a sign of hope? Do you know someone who is struggling with their faith? Is there a family member suffering from mental or physical illness?
In February, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal offers a very special opportunity for you to turn to Mary. It is our annual octave of Masses to petition Our Lady of Lourdes. This is the perfect moment to allow the Mother of God to lift you and your loved ones into her arms, interceding for every need so as to bring healing and wholeness back to your life, and the lives of those you love.
It’s going to be a wonderful celebration! From February 11-18, Association members will be praying this prayer for one another’s healing needs. Here at the Shrine, we will place your special intentions at the foot of Mary’s Altar. You may also wish to request a Votive Light for these same needs.
You recall the story of Lourdes. The year was 1858. In a small French village lived a peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous. Appearing to her over several months, the Virgin Mary gave Bernadette the spiritual message of personal conversion and the importance of prayer. She asked the girl to dig in the ground and to drink from the spring of water that began flowing there. A stream began to flow … and so did miraculous healings!
Generations of faithful pilgrims have found hope and healing at Lourdes; 70 healings have been deemed miracles officially by the Church. Among them, the story of little Francis Pascal. He was three years old when his mother took him to Lourdes in 1938. It was her last hope to heal her son’s complete blindness and paralysis that resulted from meningitis. “I had faith,” Mrs. Pascal later said, “but not much. I was in despair.”
Shortly after dipping Francis into the waters, he suddenly pointed to a stretcher nearby. “Look, Mama! The lady’s wheeling a little carriage.” The boy could see, and walk, and grew up strong and healthy. In addition to the 70 officially recognized miracles, thousands of other healings have been reported by pilgrims to Lourdes.
Who needs your faithful intervention most right now?
Mary’s arms are open, waiting, inviting you to be lifted up in a loving embrace of consolation and healing — be it for yourself, or someone close to you. Whether we appeal to her under one title or another, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal or Our Lady of Lourdes, Mary is the same loving mother!
She wants nothing less, and nothing more, than to bring us all to Jesus.
When you send your petitions, may I ask you to prayerfully consider including a generous gift to help the Association continue its mission?
Your contribution will enable us to spread devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. It will feed the perpetual “spring” of prayers flowing forth from the National Shrine, including daily Masses, novenas, and devotions. And it will help make sure we can always send a free Miraculous Medal to anyone requesting one. (Since 2015, the Association has distributed over eight million Miraculous Medals!)
May our Lord Jesus bless you for your generosity. And may you always rest soundly in the tender arms of our Lady.
Gratefully yours in Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director