Receiving a hand-addressed card in the mail can be the highlight of someone’s day — especially someone who may live alone or be facing a difficult trial right now. 

Request the Association’s winter Votive Light card to announce your prayerful remembrance of a loved one near or far. 

Your love and care will be long remembered while the rays of your Votive Light illuminate the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, a sign of your thoughtful gesture in the new year!

Request the Votive Light card here. Or, call us at 1-800-264-6279, or email ammfather@amm.org.

Join fellow members of the Association of the Miraculous Medal in celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Our Blessed Mother. This is the solemn feast commemorating God’s gracious gift to Mary in preserving her from the stain of original sin. 

In 1830, Mary called upon all people to invoke her as “conceived without sin,” as this phrase appears on the Miraculous Medal she instructed Catherine Labouré to create and promote. 

On December 8, 1854, Blessed Pope Pius IX released a document defining the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, stating that she: “In the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin.” 

Take a moment now to entrust your intentions to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. They will be placed near Mary’s Altar at the National Shrine in Perryville, Missouri, and remembered throughout the eight-day octave of Masses in celebration of Our Lady’s Immaculate Conception, beginning December 8. 

You are also invited to recite this prayer daily during the octave to enhance your observance of this feast.
 

From the responsorial psalm for Thanksgiving Day readings, we echo the praise of David: 

“All your works give you thanks, Lord,
    and your faithful ones bless you.
They speak of the glory of your reign
    and tell of your great works …
The eyes of all look hopefully to you;
    you give them their food in due season.” 

The Vincentian priests and brothers, along with everyone at the Association of the Miraculous Medal, appreciate your faithful support of our shared mission. The AMM offices will be closed on November 23 and 24 and will reopen November 27.

The church and grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal will remain open to visitors throughout the holiday weekend. Please check here for holiday tour and gift shop hours.

Don’t miss this issue’s inspiring column from AMM’s new spiritual director, Father Clayton Kilburn, C.M., reflecting on that which makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. You’ll also learn how youth across Southeast Missouri are enlightening others’ lives through the fire of their faith as members of today’s Vincentian Marian Youth Ministry. Read about one widower’s volunteer ministry honoring his late wife’s devotion to Mary, order our new Thinking of You Votive Light card, learn about AMM’s spring pilgrimage to France, and much more.

AMM’s annual Miraculous Medal Novena of Masses begins on Saturday, November 18. Together we look forward to the November 27 Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, followed by the Feast of Saint Catherine Labouré on November 28. You are invited to take part with us in several ways: 

(1) Pray this prayer daily.

(2) Send your intentions to be placed near Mary’s Shrine Altar for remembrance in the Masses and prayers.

(3) Request a Votive Light to burn as a symbol of your spiritual presence.

 “Have a Medal struck after this model. All who wear it will receive great graces … Graces will abound for persons who wear it with confidence.” 

— Blessed Virgin Mary to Catherine Labouré, November 27, 1830, appearing to her in the image of “the Medal of the Immaculate Conception,” today called the Miraculous Medal

Join members of the Association of the Miraculous Medal in seeking Mary’s intercession for deceased relatives and friends each day this month. Together, we pray … 

O Virgin, most kind, Mary, Mother of God, most loving consoler of those in distress, commend to your Son the souls of the faithful departed so that, because of your motherly intervention, they may joyfully arrive in your company as their longed-for home in heaven. Amen. 

Shop AMM’s selection of Miraculous Medals, rosaries, and other religious gifts. These items make wonderful presents for everyone on your Christmas list. All items are blessed at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal before being shipped.

A recent survey revealed that just 58% of U.S. Catholics belong to a church. Loved ones of “fallen away” Church members often suffer deeply.

On November 28, the feast day of Saint Catherine Labouré, the Association of the Miraculous Medal will celebrate a special Mass to ask Our Lady’s intercession for non-practicing Catholics to return to the faith.

You are invited to send the names of loved one(s) you would like remembered during Mass.

Many of the earliest supernatural favors associated with the Miraculous Medal were the blessings of loved ones coming back to the faith when no one thought it possible.

Don’t miss our Fall Bulletin! This issue includes a parting message from Father Kevin McCracken. We welcome Father Clayton Kilburn, C.M., as AMM’s new spiritual director. We ask Our Lady to continue to accompany us in our ministry and bless Father Clay’s efforts to fulfill the Association’s mission with fortitude and fidelity. 

Also in this issue, Don Fulford, AMM’s CEO, reflects on a summer pastime from his youth and what it might mean when “letting go” for an eternity comes around. And if you’re considering traveling to Europe in 2024, check out the preview of AMM’s spring pilgrimage to northern France. Vincentian vocation director, Father Toshio Sato, C.M., discusses the encouraging signs of faith he sees among today’s youth.
 

The Association’s annual Rosary Octave of Prayer will begin on Saturday, October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Saint Pius V established this feast in 1573 in gratitude for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto, a victory attributed to widespread recitation of the Rosary.

Pope Francis has encouraged the faithful to “rediscover, especially during the month of October, the beauty of the prayer of the Rosary, which has nourished the faith of the Christian people through the centuries … The recitation of the Rosary is the most beautiful prayer we can offer to the Virgin Mary; it is a contemplation on the stages of the life of Jesus the Savior with his Mother and is a weapon that protects us from evils and temptations."

Beyond its power to help us individually, the Blessed Virgin has urged the recitation of the Rosary as a means of restoring peace in the face of wars, oppression, and social injustice.