My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Last spring, Reader’s Digest published 20 short “mom stories” – touching memories shared from the heart.

In one story, Teresa from Illinois talks about her mother, who grew up in a communist country. One day her mother met a very poor blind woman with her daughter. In a sudden act of deep compassion, she loaned them money.

Then, great worry set in. But, Teresa says, “They miraculously returned every cent.” Two decades later, Teresa’s mother came to the U.S. The Catholic Church provided food for her and her many children. She later paid that kindness back. Teresa’s generation has carried on their mother’s compassion and generosity.

In the Old Testament, becoming a mother was seen as the greatest gift God could give a woman. A mother’s love can change a heart, a family, a future, and the world.  Perhaps your mother has been an example of love and charity for you.

Look how the Blessed Virgin Mary’s love has changed many lives.

As Mother’s Day draws near, I invite you to remember one or more special mothers and mother figures in your life with prayers offered for them at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. When so many in our society no longer respect family and children, our prayers for mothers are so important.

You may request Mother’s Day cards to present this gift to the ones you love. Each card offers the woman you name a spiritual remembrance for their intentions during our Mother’s Day Mass and throughout the remainder of May.

As an additional outward sign of your faith and devotion, you may request a Votive Light to burn at the National Shrine.

“The most important person on earth is a mother,” Venerable Jozsef Cardinal Mindszenty boldly suggested. For those of us fortunate to have a mother like Teresa’s, it is easy to see why he believed that!

Any offering you send will help AMM to share the love of Jesus and Mary with people around the world. Our spiritual ministry includes distributing nearly two million blessed Miraculous Medals and thousands of spiritual greetings like those enclosed every year.

Like Teresa’s mother, members of the Association of the Miraculous Medal are moved with compassion at so many needs around us. United in mission, we desire to enrich those who are spiritually poor, through Mary’s intercession and by walking with them along life’s journey in the joyous hope of salvation that Mary’s Son has won for us.

May God bless your continuing efforts to serve him as he draws you ever closer to himself. 

Together with Jesus and Mary,

P.S. If you would like to request Mother’s Day cards, visit www.amm.org/store,  call 1-800-264-MARY (6279), or indicate your request on the enclosed reply form.

P.P.S. You may also request Father’s Day cards at the same time!