During his final few days of life on earth, a 92-year-old great-grandfather lay comfortably in his serene room at a Catholic hospice house in Saint Louis. He’d lived his whole life in the town, worked hard to support his family, and had worked to gain spiritual ground in times of trial with the help of daily Mass and the Rosary.

Because of COVID-19, there was no “gathering ‘round” his bedside by of his seven children and his grandchildren. So they took turns, one or two at a time visiting his bedside.

As her half-hour time slot ended, one of the older granddaughters bent down to kiss her grandfather. “Grandpa,” she asked, “is there something you’d like us to do to remember you?”

The old man was quiet for a moment, then looked at her and replied:

“Just remember Jesus. That’s enough."

In the 13th Chapter of Proverbs is written, “The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children...” The two short sentences the grandfather spoke to his granddaughter that day were a wealthy inheritance, indeed. Few gifts are of greater value than wise counsel to the young.

His own life had been one of remembering Jesus.

He never announced his piety, never made a big show of his deep prayer life. He was a faithful husband and father. Though it surely hurt him, he never criticized his children or grandchildren who left the Church. He just kept going in quiet prayer and surrender — a life lived a lot like Mary’s.

Grandpa had saved diligently for the future needs he and his wife might have. That prudent planning paid off as illnesses visited them one after another in their final years. There was some left over.

Following their deaths, 50% of the “leftovers” were divided evenly among the children. The other 50% went to various Catholic charities.

Grandpa remembered Jesus because of the wisdom and faith he’d gained in his own upbringing. Next to Scripture, God’s gift of the family holds one of the highest places of honor as a trusted teacher in matters of faith, hope, and charity. “This history of mankind … of salvation, passes by way of the family,” wrote Saint John Paul II.

The effects of our words, actions, and wealth are all passed down to next generations in one way or another.

What do you wish others to inherit from your words? Actions? Wealth?

Each year, the Association of the Miraculous Medal welcomes new members into Mary’s Legacy Society. These generous stewards desire to pass on spiritual nourishment to God’s children by naming AMM as a beneficiary in a will, trust, or a variety of other types of pre-arranged gifts.

In doing so, they are helping God’s children on earth remember Jesus, especially through devotion to Our Blessed Mother under her title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

Your support for AMM suggests that you, too, value this mission. Joining Mary’s Legacy Society is a next step you may wish to consider.

Members of the Society receive numerous spiritual benefits, including remembrance on the first Monday of each month at the Novena Mass offered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

To learn more, or to notify AMM that you’ve already included our ministry in your charitable plans, please contact one of the mission advancement representatives listed on the back page of this newsletter. You may also request AMM’s free planning guide “Five Ways to Make the Most of Your Gifts.” (X113)

Passing on the faith is a generational privilege and duty. As Saint Paul reminded his spiritual son and coworker: “I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and that I am confident lives also in you.” (2 Timothy 1:5)

Thank you for prayerfully considering joining Mary’s Legacy Society. In doing so you can leave a spiritual inheritance for future generations, that they may draw closer to Jesus through Our Lady.

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“While hospitalized for a broken ankle, my mother was diagnosed with heart failure. She was placed in intensive care. After some days, we received the call that her heart had stopped beating. My father and I prayed, asking Our Blessed Mother to intercede and save her life so we would have a little more time with her. To everyone’s amazement, my mother was revived.

I believe the Blessed Virgin Mary heard our prayers and interceded for us. I was a lapsed Catholic who found my way back to the Church. My mother loved Our Lord very much and was especially devoted to Mary. We were given another week together. She passed following a day spent with family, getting calls from distant relatives, and receiving the Last Rites. I thank Mary, Mother of God, for such a beautiful blessing and for obtaining for us the gift of time!”

“Many years ago, when I had my first child, a nun asked if she could pin a Miraculous Medal on my son; she gave me one to wear as well. This was years before we converted to the Catholic faith … When I converted, I discovered that, as a newborn infant, I had been baptized at the same hospital, as they didn't expect me to live. (My dad passed away when I was only 17 months old and my mother left me with other family members to be raised, so they had been unaware of my baptism.) I believe my dear Mother Mary kept me close under her mantle all those years. I will be forever grateful for her love and the blessings I received.”

“My mother was a devoted member of AMM. Every year she would ensure that the names of her children and grandchildren were placed at the Shrine. When she could no longer take care of this, I took over for her as a Promoter of the Association of the Miraculous Medal. At one time or another, I wavered and forgot about the Association. Following my mother’s death, I received a message from a friend that included a prayer and a picture of the Miraculous Medal. For the first time in a long time, I remembered the Association. I took this as a message from my mother to continue sending the memberships for my family, and I have done so since.”

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“Five Ways to Make the Most of Your Gifts” (X113) is a brief overview of several options for tax-advantaged charitable giving. Explained in simple language with examples, this guide can help you plan for the future support of the loved ones and causes closest to your heart.

To request your free brochure, call our office at 1-800-264-6279 and ask for a member of the Mission Advancement team - Krista, Sherry, or Pat.

“... so that you … your child, and your grandchild,

may fear the Lord, your God, by keeping, as long as you live,

all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you,

and thus have long life.”