Category: Father’s Letters

Can you remember when the news of a loved one’s illness left you at a loss for words?

It isn’t always easy to know the right thing to say or do.

One thing we should never do is underestimate the power of the smallest act of kindness — sharing a few assuring words of support, texting a get well message, saying a prayer, or mailing a note or greeting card. Offered in love and faith, God can bless and multiply the ripple effects of such gestures, yielding graces and blessings we might never have dreamed possible.

Perhaps a friend or relative is in need of healing of body, mind, or spirit at this time. If so, I invite you to entrust that person to the loving care of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

Send a Healing Remembrance Card to let your recipient know that you are thinking of them — and that you have asked Mary, the Mother of God, to do the same.

Recall Our Lady’s promise to Saint Catherine Labouré. Our Blessed Mother would never fail to shower graces upon all who turn to her confidently in times of need. 

Not long ago, a member wrote to tell us how much such a gesture could mean.

Dear Father, The mother of a co-worker was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and was in and out of the hospital. My wife and I requested a Healing Remembrance Card and a Votive Light to burn for her at AMM’s National Shrine. I also prayed the Rosary confidently in petition for her healing. My co-worker is no longer a practicing Catholic, but I still gave him the card and a Miraculous Medal to give to his mother. I assured him that his mother would be remembered in the Masses and prayers at the Shrine. Recently, his mother went to the doctor and was told that her stage 4 cancer was completely gone. Now, that is a miracle! I would like to thank Our Blessed Mother for her intercession and the Vincentian priests and brothers for their prayers. I told my co-worker that it was a miracle, but he still seems doubtful. Please continue to pray that he recognizes God’s grace.

Send me the names of your loved ones for remembrance in healing. We will remember your recipients in the daily Mass and prayers here at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

Requesting a Votive Light to burn near Mary’s Shrine Altar can be another expression of your faith and prayerful support. 

Any offering you include will help us spread devotion to Our Lady and support the ministries of the Vincentian priests and brothers of the Congregation of the Mission founded by Saint Vincent de Paul.

In his wisdom, the saint taught those who joined him in his missionary work, “It is from your hands that Our Lord, in the person of the sick, seeks relief.”

Thank you for allowing the Association of the Miraculous Medal to join you in praying for your loved one in need of healing.  May God continue to bless all our efforts to serve him and draw us ever closer to himself.

Faithfully yours in Jesus and Mary,

P.S.  Order your Healing Remembrance Card to lift the spirits of someone you love who is suffering in body, mind, or spirit.

In ancient times, people used anointing oil for various reasons. In the Bible, it often symbolized bestowing God’s strength and favor on someone. People also used it for its healing properties.

On my last assignment on the Indian Reservations of Arizona, I was introduced to another type of blessing. A Native American religious sister shared a cherished childhood memory of her father blessing her and her siblings with an eagle feather before she went to bed each night. She combined the symbolism of her culture with the strength of her Catholic faith to teach others the importance of a blessing each night.

Blessing your children and grandchildren builds the faith you hold dear to your hearts. It nurtures the next generation and establishes a solid foundation for their lives. It can also become a cherished memory for children.

Order your Blessed Oil today. It has been blessed here at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and touched to a first-class relic of Saint Catherine Labouré.

I invite you to use this oil for yourself, a child, your grandchildren, or another loved one to receive God’s love and blessings. It is not a good luck charm, but a sacramental of faith — much like holy water.

I’d like to share a member’s story about their use of the Blessed Oil:

“When my wife was in hospice, she would sometimes get very uncomfortable in between doses of her medications. I would rub blessed oil on her forehead, and every time, it seemed to make her calm and ease her pain.”

Again, using Blessed Oil is a sign of your faith. Faith heals us in accordance with God’s holy will.

I would also like to pray for you and any loved ones in your life who are in need of restored physical, mental, or spiritual health if you will send me their names. They will be remembered in the daily Mass and prayers here at the National Shrine.

You may also request to burn Votive Lights at the National Shrine for your loved ones.

If you would like to order Blessed Oil, you may request a half-ounce bottle for an offering of $17 or more. Any additional offering will help AMM continue its ministry to bring God’s love and healing to the world through Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.               

May God continue to bless all our efforts to serve him and draw us ever closer to himself.

P.S. Sacramentals like the Blessed Oil, when used in conjunction with prayer, can open hearts to receive the blessings God desires to bestow upon you and those you love.

In November 2022, my mother passed away at her home in Steele, Missouri. I’d been mom’s full-time caregiver in her final years with dementia. By God’s grace, she was able to remain at home until God called her to himself.

Beyond clothing, feeding, and educating me, my mom instilled in me something of eternal value – a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.     

Her loving care showed through everything she did for my father, me, and others in need. It would be impossible to count how many lives she changed for the better during her 98 years of life.     

I hope, as I was, you’ve been blessed with loving parents.     

Looking ahead to Mother’s Day, I invite you to join me in praying for all mothers and mother figures. Let us entrust these women — living or deceased — into Our Lady’s tender care.     

You can pay tribute to their love in a special way by sending them (or their family) one of the Mother’s Day cards we offer.     

Each card offers your recipient a remembrance in the daily Mass and prayers offered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on Mother’s Day and throughout the month of May. On the back cover is a QR code. Your loved one can scan the code to receive my personal Mother’s Day blessing.     

As an added gift, you may request a Votive Light to burn at Our Lady’s National Shrine.     

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is interceding for you and those you love.     

AMM depends on the generosity of members to continue its spiritual ministry and freely share more than a million blessed Miraculous Medal each year. If you are able to send an offering, it would mean so very much.     

May God bless you for your generous and loving support of Mary’s Association here in Perryville.                                                            

Together with Jesus and Mary,                                                            

P.S. To order Mother’s Day cards, or simply call us at 1-800-264-6279. You may request Father’s Day cards at the same time.

Greetings to you from all of us at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal!

I’m writing to share good news and a special invitation from Our Lady’s Association.

From May 13-23, Father Kevin McCracken, C.M., and I will lead a group of members of the Association of the Miraculous Medal on a pilgrimage to sacred sites across France.

One of the main purposes of our pilgrimage is to present your special intentions to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal at the Daughters of Charity Motherhouse Chapel where Mary appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré in 1830.

Your needs will be entrusted to the Blessed Virgin Mary each day of the pilgrimage. On May 22, they will be commended to Our Lady during Mass at the very place where she charged Catherine with creating the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, today known as the Miraculous Medal.

At the same time, your needs will be remembered in the daily Mass and prayers here at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville. You can also burn a Votive Light to represent your presence with us every step of the way.

     Beyond Paris, our journey will include visits to:

• the Shrine of Our Lady of Cambrai and the famous statue of Notre Dame de Grace
• Lisieux, where we will venerate relics of Saint Therese, “the Little Flower”
• the wondrous Monastery of Le Mont Saint Michel
• the city of Tours, the Loire Valley, and Chartres

I invite you to send me your intentions to be included during the Prayers of the Faithful in each Mass offered at these sacred places.

You may also order one of the three remembrance gifts to take part in the pilgrimage.

There is a small, blue beaded Three Apparitions Keepsake for a suggested offering of $19. We will take your beaded prayer chain with us on the trip. Father Kevin and I will bless it at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Once we return, this souvenir will be mailed to you the week following our return.

Two other devotional items are available. These can be mailed to you now so you can unite with us more closely in prayer. Order Mary’s Blue Pearl Rosary and the Saint Catherine Labouré LED Candle.

A portion of your offering, and any additional gift you make “over and above,” will be used to share Mary’s medal, and God’s love, with even more people in 2024.

Our Lord has given the world a great gift of Mary as our Heavenly Mother and her gift to us of the Miraculous Medal. United in devotion to the Mother of God, we are drawn more closely together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

I look forward to remembering you and your intentions in the Masses and prayers during the France pilgrimage. May God bless your efforts to serve him and may he draw us ever closer to his saving love.

Sincerely in Mary and Jesus,

P.S. On May 19, the Easter season will conclude with the feast of Pentecost. In Angers, France, we will remember you in prayer to the Holy Spirit — from Veni, Sancte Spiritus:

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.

En mayo de 1917, el mundo estaba en medio de la terrible Primera Guerra Mundial, la cual cobró millones de vidas. El Papa de aquel tiempo, Benedicto XV, se afanaba por medio de la oración y sus esfuerzos diplomáticos para restablecer la paz mundial. Pero nada parecía cambiar.

En una importante carta con fecha del 5 de mayo de aquel año, el Santo Padre pidió al mundo recurrir a la Madre de Dios: “Elévese hacia María, Madre de misericordia y omnipotente por la gracia, las palabras “Reina del Cielo, ruega por nosotros”… Que su dulce y benignísima solicitud sea conmovida, y sea obtenida la paz suplicada para este mundo convulso”.

Solo ocho días después, llegó una respuesta del cielo. En un pueblo pequeño de Portugal, la Virgen se apareció a tres niños campesinos. Y el milagro de Fátima comenzó. 

Parece que Dios eligió el “mes de María” para intervenir en la Primera Guerra Mundial. Fue tal vez su aprobación divina de la práctica eclesial de honrar a María en el mes de mayo.

Por eso, en este mes de María, le invito a que nos acompañe a nuestra tradicional Procesión y Coronación de Mayo, el domingo 5 de mayo. La Procesión comenzará a la 1:00 p.m., hora del centro, en el Santuario Nacional de la Medalla Milagrosa, en Perryville, Missouri.

Ese mismo día, en nuestra parroquia hermana de San Vicente de Paúl, en los Ángeles, California, también se estará celebrando la Coronación de la Virgen en todas las misas dominicales, por si le es más fácil asistir a esta celebración.

Después de la coronación de la Virgen en la Gruta aquí en Perryville, yo estaré celebrando una misa en español para los miembros de habla hispana que nos acompañen. Me encantaría verle en esta celebración, donde oficiaremos el rito de la bendición e imposición de la Medalla Milagrosa.

El año pasado, cientos de miembros de dieron cita para venerar a la Virgen en su procesión y coronación. Y después se celebró la primera misa en español con la bendición e imposición de la Medalla Milagrosa.

Ayúdenos a continuar con esta hermosa tradición enviando sus intenciones de oración para recordarlas durante nuestra celebración. Si desea, también puede encender una veladora para que permanezca encendida todo el mes de mayo.

Para la Asociación de la Virgen es una bendición recibir cualquier ofrenda que sea su voluntad, ya que dependemos del apoyo de personas como usted para realizar nuestros ministerios de fe y esperanza. Su ayuda nos permite seguir propagando la Medalla Milagrosa y la devoción a la Virgen María.

Contemplar juntos el rostro de Cristo con el corazón de nuestra Madre María, nos unirá todavía más como familia espiritual. Gracias por su apoyo espiritual y económico a la Asociación.

Espero pronto recibir sus intenciones de oración. Y espero verle en el Santuario Nacional de la Medalla Milagrosa el domingo 5 de mayo.

Yo rezaré por usted y su familia, especialmente si alguien está enfermo, y le ruego que rece también por mí. ¡Bendiciones de corazón!

Siempre con la Virgen María,

Fr. P’s sig

Rev. Prudencio Rodríguez de Yurre, C.M.

Director Espiritual

P.D. Por favor le pido que envíe sus intenciones de oración para que puedan ser parte de la celebración de Virgen María en su Procesión y Coronación.

Ya estamos al comienzo de la Cuaresma, un tiempo de preparación importante para todos los católicos. Esa preparación nos conduce a la Semana Santa, a la Pasión del Señor, una Pasión que nos muestra que el abandono y sufrimiento de Jesús fueron el precio de nuestra salvación.

Todos conocemos esta frase de Semana Santa: “Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has abandonado?”. Son esas palabras tan profundas las que nos llevan al corazón del mismo Cristo, al momento de su mayor sufrimiento.

El verbo “abandonar” en la Biblia aparece en momentos de extremo dolor: en amores traicionados; en hijos rechazados; en situaciones de repudio, viudez y orfandad; en matrimonios agotados; en la opresión de la injusticia y la soledad de la enfermedad.

En la Cuaresma podemos entregar a Jesús y a María nuestras propias cargas y sufrimientos, pues ellos saben mucho de pruebas y dolor. Puede ser una difícil enfermedad, una situación económica que nos causa angustia, un familiar que se encuentra lejos, la muerte de un ser querido. Cualquiera que sea la situación, Jesús y María están siempre a nuestro lado. 

Con su sufrimiento, Jesús se hizo solidario con cada uno de nosotros hasta el extremo, para estar con nosotros hasta las últimas consecuencias. Para que nadie pudiera considerarse solo e insalvable.

Le invito a enviar sus intenciones de oración para este tiempo solemne de preparación y conversión. Permítame recordarle a usted y a su familia en nuestras celebraciones de Cuaresma, Semana Santa y Pascua aquí en el Santuario de la Virgen. También puede encender una veladora en el Santuario por sus peticiones.

Además, para conmemorar este tiempo de oración y renovación, hemos seleccionado y bendecido en el Santuario dos artículos especiales para usted. El primero es un Tapiz colgante de la Última Cena para conmemorar el momento de comunidad que vivió Jesús como despedida de sus discípulos. Puede recibir su Tapiz de la Última Cena con una ofrenda de $25 o más. También puede solicitar un Rosario plateado con cajita conmemorativa de la Última Cena, para rezarlo durante este tiempo especial. Puede recibir su rosario y cajita por una ofrenda de $44 o más.

Las ofrendas de miembros de la Familia de la Medalla Milagrosa como usted, son la vida de nuestros ministerios. Con la donación que sea su voluntad, o al encargar uno de estos regalos de Cuaresma, usted ayuda a la Asociación de la Virgen a seguir promoviendo la devoción a María y a su Medalla Milagrosa.

En estos días santos que se aproximan, acerquémonos a Jesús crucificado. Contemplándolo a él, herido y despojado de todo, reconozcamos nuestra propia verdad. Presentémosle todo lo que somos y dejemos que renueve en nosotros la esperanza de una vida nueva.

Siempre con la Virgen María,

Rev. Prudencio Rodríguez de Yurre, C.M.
Director Espiritual

P. D. Por favor recuerde enviar sus intenciones de oración o encender una veladora en el Santuario. También indíqueme si desea recibir su Tapiz de la Última Cena o su Rosario con cajita de la Última Cena bendecidos. ¡Que María, madre de Jesús resucitado, le acompañe en su experiencia cuaresmal!

In early May 1917, the United States was preparing to enter the war that had been raging in Europe for nearly three years. Millions of lives had already been lost. Pope Benedict XV spent himself tirelessly in prayerful pleas and diplomatic efforts to restore global peace. It seemed as if no progress was being made.

In a decisive letter dated May 5, the Holy Father urged the world to turn with confidence to the Mother of God: “Let loving and devout appeal go up from every corner of the earth … that the peace we ask for be obtained …”

Just eight days later, an answer came from heaven. In a tiny village in Portugal, Our Lady appeared to three young peasant children. The miracle of Fatima had begun.
God chose “Mary’s month” to step into World War I. Perhaps it was a nod of divine approval to the Church’s centuries-long practice of honoring Mary in May.

I invite you to take part in the Association of the Miraculous Medal’s annual May Procession on Sunday, May 5. The May Procession will begin at 1:00 p.m., CT, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Missouri.

Last year, hundreds came from near and far to honor the Mother of Mercy, “our life, our sweetness, and our hope.” Tens of thousands more participated by returning their silk rose petals, representing their prayers and petitions to be included in a beautiful wreath. This wreath will be presented to Our Blessed Mother during the May Procession.

I hope you will help us continue this tradition by sending your special intentions by April 8.

We will implore the Queen of Heaven to intercede for your needs before the throne of God. Your needs will also be remembered in the daily Mass and prayers here at the National Shrine throughout the month of May.

If you live closer to the West Coast, you are invited to attend the May Procession that will be held on May 5 at all of the Sunday Masses (8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m.(School Mass), 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Los Angeles. For more information on the May Processions being held in Los Angeles, please call (213) 749-8950.

You may wish to burn a Votive Light at the Shrine Chapel as a sign of your constant confidence in Christ Jesus and the merits of Our Blessed Mother.

AMM deeply appreciates any monetary offering you wish to include. Gifts enable Mary’s ministry to continue, drawing the faithful closer to God through Our Lady, especially by sharing the Miraculous Medal with others.

I pray you’ll do just as the Holy Father did in 1917 by offering up your loving, devout appeal to Our Lady.

No matter how small or great your need may be, Our Blessed Mother will not fail to intercede for you, to comfort you, and guide you.

Thank you once more for your caring support of the Association of the Miraculous Medal. We look forward to receiving your special intentions. And we hope to see you at the National Shrine on Sunday, May 5.

May God continue to bless your efforts to serve him, and may he draw all of us ever closer to himself. 

Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,

P.S.  Be sure to return your intentions by April 8 so they can be included in the 2024 May Procession.

“DIOS MÍO, DIOS MÍO, ?POR QUÉ ME HAS ABANDONADO?”

spanish translation here-test by tim

Ya estamos al comienzo de la Cuaresma, un tiempo de preparación importante para todos los
cristianos. Esa preparación nos conduce a la Semana Santa, a la Pasión del Señor, una Pasión que
nos enseña que el abandono y sufrimiento de Jesús fueron el precio de nuestra salvación.

Todos conocemos esta frase de Semana Santa: “Dios mío, Dios mío, ¿por qué me has
abandonado?”. Son esas palabras tan profundas las que nos llevan al corazón del mismo Cristo,
al momento de su mayor sufrimiento.

El verbo “abandonar” en la Biblia aparece en momentos de extremo dolor: en amores
traicionados; en hijos rechazados y abandonados; en situaciones de repudio, viudez y orfandad;
en matrimonios agotados; en la opresión de la injusticia y la soledad de la enfermedad.

En la Cuaresma podemos entregar a Jesús y a María nuestras propias cargas y sufrimientos,
pues ellos saben mucho de pruebas y dolor. Puede ser una difícil enfermedad, una situación
económica que nos causa angustia, un familiar que se encuentra lejos, la muerte de un ser
querido. Cualquiera que sea la situación, Jesús y María están siempre a nuestro lado.

Con su sufrimiento, Jesús se hizo solidario con cada uno de nosotros hasta el extremo, para
estar con nosotros hasta las últimas consecuencias. Para que nadie pudiera considerarse solo e
insalvable.

Le invito a vivir juntos en oración este tiempo solemne de preparación y conversión.
Permítame recordarle a usted y a su familia en nuestras celebraciones de Cuaresma, Semana
Santa y Pascua aquí en el Santuario de la Virgen.

Solo use su hojita de respuesta, para mandarme las intenciones que le sean más urgentes en
este momento. Así las recordaremos en nuestras misas y oraciones durante este tiempo sagrado.

Además, para conmemorar este tiempo de oración y renovación, hemos seleccionado y
bendecido en el Santuario dos artículos especiales para usted. El primero es un Tapiz colgante
de la Última Cena para conmemorar el momento de comunidad que vivió Jesús como
despedida de sus discípulos. Puede recibir su Tapiz de la Última Cena con una ofrenda de $25
o más. También puede solicitar un Rosario plateado con cajita conmemorativa de la Última
Cena, para rezarlo durante este tiempo especial. Puede recibir su rosario y cajita por una
ofrenda de $44 o más.

Espero recibir sus peticiones de oración en cuanto le sea posible para orar por usted y su
familia. Si desea recibir uno, o ambos regalos, solo marque su hojita de respuesta al enviarme sus
intenciones de oración. Ambos artículos han sido bendecidos en el Santuario de la Medalla
Milagrosa.

Las ofrendas de miembros de la Familia de la Medalla Milagrosa como usted, son la vida de
nuestros ministerios. Con la donación que sea su voluntad, o al encargar uno de estos regalos de
Cuaresma, usted ayuda a la Asociación de la Virgen a seguir promoviendo la devoción a María y
a su Medalla Milagrosa.

En estos días santos que se aproximan, acerquémonos a Jesús crucicado. Contemplándolo a
él, herido y despojado de todo, reconozcamos nuestra propia verdad. Presentémosle todo lo que
somos y dejemos que renueve en nosotros la esperanza de una vida nueva.

Siempre con la Virgen María,

Rev. Prudencio Rodríguez de Yurre, C.M.
Director Espiritual

P. D. Por favor recuerde enviarme sus intenciones de oración en su hojita de respuesta. También
indíqueme si desea recibir su Tapiz de la Última Cena o su Rosario con cajita de la
Última Cena bendecidos. ¡Que María, madre de Jesús resucitado, le acompañe en su
experiencia cuaresmal!

“Doubting” Thomas had to see the risen Christ in order to believe.

Jesus calls us blessed who do not see, but still believe.

In her perfect discipleship, Mary believed with her whole heart, even without seeing proof, without knowing what the future held, without understanding the great suffering God permitted the Holy Family to endure.

Every time we recite the Apostles’ or Nicene Creed, we proclaim all that we believe — without seeing, knowing, or understanding it all.

Today, we look forward to the joyous mystery of the Resurrection. I invite you to walk the way of faith with Our Lady. Take her Immaculate Heart as your own, rejoicing as she surely did that first Easter morning.

Sharing the joy of your beliefs with those you love can be life-changing. Request your Easter cards to use this season. Each announces the gift of prayer. Send your special intentions and include the names of your recipients, they will be remembered in the Association of the Miraculous Medal’s octave of Masses beginning Easter Sunday and concluding on Divine Mercy Sunday. You may also request to burn a Votive Light in the names of your loved ones.

Recently a member wrote to AMM about her life-changing encounter with Our Blessed Mother — one that has led to a deep and abiding faith in Christ.

I wasn’t raised in a family that attended church. In the late 1990s at age 29, I wasn’t even sure I believed in God. But somehow, I had a powerful urge to learn about Mary. On the internet I only found a little information. It was about the Immaculate and Sacred Hearts. While passing an antique shop one day, I saw a framed picture of those two hearts. I knew instantly that I was supposed to buy it.

Hanging it above our front door, a prominent place in our house, I just KNEW I would receive some sort of signal from Mary that I was on the right track. My husband did not believe me, but he went along with it.

A couple days later, he and I were returning home. As we walked in under the image, the immediate, powerful scent of roses stopped us in our tracks. “It’s Mary’s signal of grace!” I cried. We were both in awe. The scent filled the area directly under the picture. Once you stepped away, it disappeared. This lasted around 30 seconds. There were no flowers, air sprays, or scented candles in or near the house. It was Mary’s signal of grace. I am now a practicing Catholic. I would die for the faith if necessary. I have enthroned the picture in my home. Praise be to Jesus Christ and his Blessed Mother, now and forever!

We may not all smell roses, but we can all be certain that through Mary, Our Lord pours out limitless mercy and blessings to draw us nearer to him in heaven.

Let us rejoice as Mary, God’s perfect disciple, leads each of us to the fullness of new life in her Son this Easter season.

Yours in Jesus and Mary,

P.S.  You may request Easter cards to use this season or call us at 1-800-264-6279 weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT, before March 11. Adding an offering of any amount will help AMM inspire greater faith and reach more souls with Mary’s powerful Miraculous Medal. We are grateful for your generosity.

“For I do not seek understanding in order to believe … I believe in order to understand.”
Saint Anselm of Canterbury