News from the Association

As the back-to-school season nears, we are reminded of the importance of praying for students, educators, and families who are preparing for new beginnings, changes, and challenges. Perhaps a child or grandchild is going off to college for the first time. Maybe there is a beloved teacher, principal, director, or religious educator you would like […]

Every year on September 8, the Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The birthday observance of Our Blessed Mother comes nine months after the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. “Next to the birth of Jesus, Mary’s birth offers the greatest possible happiness to the world. Each time we celebrate her birth, we […]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Christians down through the ages have used blessed oil as a symbol of God’s empowering, strengthening, and healing power. Blessed oil is a Church-approved sacramental. A sacramental is a prayer aid—blessed objects, sacred signs, or actions the faithful use to outwardly express their devotion and openness to God’s […]

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 […]

Of all the prayers handed down to Christians over the centuries, few equal the beauty and belovedness of the Rosary. Many have heard that Mary gave this prayer to Saint Dominic in the 13th century, but scholars today say the Rosary came about slowly, over many years. By the early 1400s, the word “rosary” sprang […]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Alleluia! Hallelujah! The words handed down to us from the Greek and Hebrew mean “Praise the Lord!” During the Easter season, we rejoice in Christ’s death and resurrection, glorifying the Lord for having paid the price for our sins and opening for us the gates of heaven. Easter […]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Do you keep up with the news coming out of France’s most famous pilgrimage site? Last April, the Church formally recognized the latest miracle flowing from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. The announcement concerned a woman from Italy who, in 2009, traveled to the humble grotto […]

Years ago, most Christmas cards our family received at home pictured something of Bethlehem and Our Lord’s birth. How different things are today! Jesus shares the spotlight with Santa, Rudolph, snowmen, and simple “Happy Holiday” wishes.  Snow-covered landscapes seem more common than traditional nativity scenes.  Pictures of children and pets fairly outnumber those of the […]

I invite you to join fellow Pilgrims of Hope who will ask Mary’s help during the Jubilee Year Novena of Masses honoring Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Our novena begins Tuesday, November 18, here at the National Shrine in Perryville. Send your prayer intentions now. We will place them near Mary’s Altar inside the […]