Author: Michelle Weiler

An Association member wrote us about a life-changing experience that happened to her at school, many decades ago.

As this inspiring story expresses, the most important part of a good education often has little to do with reading, writing, or arithmetic.

     “Dear Father,

       My father led my two siblings and me in praying the Rosary nightly. Our mother had moved out for another life when we were very young. On a parent visiting day at our Catholic school, I cried as everyone had a mother there except for me. One of the Sisters took me by the hand and led me to a statue of Our Blessed Mother. “This is your mother,” she said.

      From that day on, my devotion to Mary has grown … I have survived two very bad car accidents. Both times, I had my rosary in my possession … Our Blessed Mother goes everywhere with me. I pray to her daily.”

As another back to school season nears, we owe our gratitude to wise and thoughtful educators, to all who teach spiritual as well as temporal truths.

The Association of the Miraculous Medal invites members to offer back to school prayers for students and teachers — that all may experience a fruitful academic year, growing in knowledge and understanding with each passing day.

I hope you’ll send me the names of those you’d like remembered in the daily Mass and prayers offered here at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal during the coming school year.

You may also order Votive Light greeting cards to  particular students, educators, or families, to let them know you’re thinking of them. 

Mary is Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom. She desires to bring her children to the fullness of truth, her Son, Jesus. She inspires teachers and students who are open to her promptings. Like that compassionate Sister who led a hurting youngster to Our Blessed Mother in a moment of need and the student who accepted her guidance.

In addition to sending a Votive Light cards, you may also order a tangible back to school gift that offers a special student or teacher a daily reminder of Mary’s care for them.

AMM is offering one of its most popular Miraculous Medals. The Backpack Mary Medal is pewter and diamond-cut with a lobster-claw clasp that attaches easily to a backpack, purse, keychain, or zipper. The Backpack Mary Medal is available for a suggested donation of $10.00 each. Or, browse AMM’s large selection of religious items and order through our online gift shop: amm.org/store.aspx.

You give a gift of priceless value in asking Our Lady to watch over those you love and impart to them true wisdom along their educational journey.

Thank you for your devotion to Mary’s mission carried out here at AMM. Your faithful support means a lot.

Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,

Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director
 

 P.S.     You may request free, blessed Miraculous Medals on a story card to share with school children, educators, and family members. Or, call us at 1-800-264-6279, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT. Any gift offering you add will be gratefully received and used to continue Our Lady’s mission.

P.P.S.  Did a particular school or teacher shape your future in an important way? We would love to hear from you about a memorable moment or lesson from your youth.

Today, I invite you to include your intentions in this year’s birthday celebration honoring Our Lady. As you may know, the Church observes the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8.

A birthday candle will burn beside Our Lady’s Shrine Altar during AMM’s octave (eight days) of prayer beginning September 8 and concluding on September 15.

If you send me your personal prayer intentions, we will join you in asking Mary to obtain for you the graces and favors you are seeking. It is a wonderful opportunity to ask for a special blessing, or simply offer a petition of gratitude to Our Blessed Mother for the love she has shown you. You may also request a Votive Light to burn for your intentions.

I look forward to receiving your prayer intentions, and (if you choose) a charitable gift to support AMM’s ministry of love and hope. Thank you, and God bless! 

Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,

Fr. Kevin McCracken,C.M.
Spiritual Director

A few years ago, some eighth graders in Saint Louis attended a daylong retreat to prepare for Confirmation. Several parents had been asked to share their own faith journeys. One was a mom fighting cancer.

The students grew especially quiet when Julie got up to speak. One thing she said took them by complete surprise.

“I thank God for my cancer because it made me realize how much I am loved.”

The children couldn’t believe their ears. Thanking God for getting cancer?

Julie explained. As the youngest child in a very large family, she knew she was loved, but didn’t always feel loved. After her diagnosis, she was showered with countless prayers, gifts, and offers of help. The affection and support brought her so much comfort that she considered the illness a greater gift to her spirit than her previous perfect health.

Julie’s testimony tells us that sometimes the greatest healing we can offer is a loving word or a kind deed.

My name is Father Kevin McCracken, C.M. I’m a member of the Congregation of the Mission, known better as Vincentian priests and brothers. I’m writing to acquaint you with the Association of the Miraculous Medal and its work. We carry on the mission that Our Blessed Mother entrusted to Saint Catherine Labouré back in 1830.

I know you care deeply for your loved ones in need. Asking Mary’s intercession for their healing is a priceless gift, since Our Lady has promised to advocate before God’s throne to obtain grace and blessings for all who turn to her in faith.

Send a Healing Remembrance Card to someone as a gift of comfort and hope. If you know someone who is suffering in body, mind, or spirit, please present that person with this spiritual greeting as a gesture of your loving care. Also, send AMM their name to be remembered in the daily Mass and prayers here at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Missouri.

You can add a second gesture of remembrance to this gift by requesting a Votive Light to burn for your loved one. Votive Lights burning adjacent to Our Lady’s Shrine represent the petitions and spiritual presence of our members..
Any offering you send will further AMM’s work to spread devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, maintain the National Shrine, and support the apostolic mission and charitable works of our Vincentian priests and brothers.

Thank you for helping us draw people closer to Jesus through his and Our Blessed Mother! May her intercession obtain for your loved ones the favors you are seeking. 

Sincerely yours in Our Lady,

Fr. Kevin McCracken, CM
Spiritual Director

P.S. To request free, blessed Miraculous Medals on an explanation card to share with others, visit our website at www.amm.org or call us at 1-800-264-6279. Any donation you offer will be deeply appreciated.

    Jackie from Minnesota writes another story of Mary’s comfort …

Dear Father,

     I always prayed to Our Lord, but not to Our Blessed Mother. One night, I was crying in desperation and agony – an emotional wreck and in much physical pain. Walking around my house feeling lost and hopeless, my eyes fell on a small picture of Our Blessed Mother. I cried out loudly to her to help me. I felt an incredible sense of peace come over me. The worries, fear, and pain subsided. I knew it was Our Mother Mary watching over me … I’ve never forgotten that day, and Mary has since become a constant heavenly comfort and confidant to me.

Dear Friend,

Greetings from the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal! I pray that you and yours are enjoying a beautiful summer.

Your spiritual family here at Mary’s Association continues to remember your needs in the daily Mass and prayers here at the Shrine.

Lifting each other up in prayer is a tradition dating back to AMM’s earliest days. In God’s love for Our Lady, he lifted her up, too — in the beautiful mystery we celebrate every August 15, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On Sunday, August 6, at 11:00 a.m., CT, we will honor Our Blessed Mother as we begin the Shrine’s annual Assumption Novena of Masses.

I hope you will add your personal intentions.  Your petitions will be placed at Our Lady’s Shrine Altar for remembrance throughout the novena and during the Solemnity Mass on Tuesday, August 15.

You may also request a Votive Light that will burn as a symbol of your confident trust in Mary’s intercession. Any gift you add will help AMM draw others closer to Jesus through Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, support Vincentian ministries, and form tomorrow’s priests and brothers who will shepherd God’s people.

Mary’s Assumption reminds us of God’s reward for those who live in faith-filled trust and obedience. Despite all the sorrow her Immaculate Heart endured, Our Lady always trusted God. She is our model for never giving in to discouragement or bitterness. Best of all, she is here to help us along every step of our journey to heaven.

I will watch for your intentions. May Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal keep you close to her heart and to the heart of her Son.

In the love of Mary,

Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director

P.S. This year’s Solemnity of the Assumption Mass on Tuesday, August 15, will be live streamed on our Facebook page beginning at 12:10 p.m., CT. You are invited to join us in this joyous Liturgy!

P.P.S. AMM members often share stories of how they’ve grown in faith through the Blessed Virgin. I hope they inspire you today …

Dear Father,
I decided to attach a Miraculous Medal to my bicycle, which I ride about six miles each day. I thought by doing so, Mary would intercede for my protection from any accidents. I was correct. Yesterday, a stone wall blocked both my view and that of an oncoming motorist … We nearly collided, but I was unharmed. Thank you, Mary!  Renee B.

Dear Father,
Last year, my daughter was gravely ill for six months. I began praying the Rosary daily and, after a blessing with Lourdes Water, during her third month in the hospital, she started to recover! I am so grateful … My daughter is now walking, talking, and has returned to work. Betty C.

Dear Father,
When I lost our child to SIDS at 2 months of age, I was devastated. I’d had a devotion to Our Blessed Mother since I was a child and — from one mother to another who had lost her child — I asked for strength to work through my grief. Many fruits came from this, including my husband’s conversion to the Catholic faith 20 years later. Lorraine H.