In 2021, the Catholic News Agency (CNA) reported on a Gallup poll that surveyed more than 6,000 adults in the United States about their religious practices. Of those who called themselves Catholic, only 58% said they belonged to a church — a near 20% decline in just two decades.
Another public religion institute recently confirmed that the number of U.S. Catholics attending Mass has fallen significantly since before COVID.
Suffering runs deep for parents, grandparents, spouses, and other family of fallen away Church members. Fearing the eternal loss of someone’s union with God in heaven is a heavy burden to carry.
If you are struggling with this difficulty, I write with good news.
You are neither ALONE nor POWERLESS against atheism, secularism, distrust, misinformation, sin, scandals, and persecution which are forces that may drive our loved ones outright from the Church — they can cause them indifference or disillusionment with their faith.
The primary mission of the Association of the Miraculous Medal is to draw people to, or back to, Jesus through Our Blessed Mother.
Is there someone who needs your prayers and ours?
Please, send me their names. AMM will be celebrating a special Mass for them on November 28, the feast day of Saint Catherine Labouré.
This saint devoted herself tirelessly to win back souls for Christ. She ministered for more than four decades tending to the physical and spiritual needs of elderly men confined to a French hospital/nursing home. Through loving care and constant prayer, Catherine reformed a great many of the hardened hearts and rough characters she encountered there.
In fact, many of the earliest heavenly favors associated with the Miraculous Medal were the blessings of loved ones returning to the faith when no one thought it possible.
Allow me to share a note from an AMM member in Missouri:
“My brother left the Church many years ago following a painful divorce. Hurt and angry, he felt abandoned by God. He remarried an atheist and had nothing to do with God or the Church. Recently, he took the first step to rejoining the Church and is again a practicing Catholic. He is also raising his newborn twins in the faith. My mother, father, and I have been praying for this for many years. Our prayers have been answered. Thank you, Mother Mary, for your intercession … God is good … all the time.”
Do not doubt that God is merciful and can use your faith and prayers to spiritually revive those you love.
I pray that you never give up hope. Your faith can move mountains.
Please send your petition for remembrance in the special Mass on November 28 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. I, along with my fellow Vincentian priests and brothers, will prayerfully remember your intentions and the names of the loved ones you entrust to us.
Members of my staff are available to take your prayer requests. We can be reached at 1-800-264-6279 weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT.
Our Lord gave the world his own Mother to accompany us and guide us throughout life. May God continue to bless all your efforts to serve him and draw you ever closer to himself.
Yours in Jesus and Mary,
P.S. You may also request free, blessed Miraculous Medals on a card of explanation to share with family and friends. Each medal is presented on a story card sharing its fascinating origins. Placing them inside gifts or greeting cards is a gesture of your faith.
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