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 from the name “Rosenkrantz,” German for rose garland – and the Latin “rosarium” for rose garden. Rosaries were pictured as circlets of roses, with every “Ave Maria” (Hail Mary) uttered on earth becoming a flower to crown Our Lady in heaven.

Imagine countless roses filling up paradise, God’s kingdom overflowing with love and devotion for his Queen Mother.

As the month of May draws near, the Association of the Miraculous Medal is preparing for its annual tradition to honor Mary, one that will offer up prayers and an outpouring of roses from here on earth.

Send us your special intentions, they will be presented to Mary during our 2026 May Procession on Sunday, May 3. You may also call or email us with your intentions. 

I invite you to join us in person, too, if you can! Hundreds of members and friends will gather here in Perryville, Missouri, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, beginning at 1:00 p.m., CT.

We will process along the Rosary Walk to the historic grotto, singing a Marian hymn and reciting the Rosary. The event will include the crowning of Mary, a tribute to Our Lady, and the presentation of the beautiful wreath made with the roses returned by you and other devoted members as a representation of your intentions. The First Communicants will carry bouquets of roses – also made of returned roses – while the 8^th Grade Confirmands will carry the prayer petitions, all to be presented to Our Lady.

We are delighted to announce that following the procession, a Spanish Mass will be celebrated at 3:00 p.m. inside the Shrine Church in Perryville, Missouri. The Liturgy will include the Rite of Investiture in the Miraculous Medal.

If you live closer to the West Coast, we invite you to Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Los Angeles. The crowning of Mary will also take place there on May 3, at the Sunday Masses (8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 2:00 p.m., PT).

Please send your special intentions before April 7. We will humbly ask the Queen of the May to present your prayers of praise and petition to her Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Your intentions will also be remembered throughout the month of May. Your may also request a Votive Light to burn at the Shrine. Doing so can be a powerful sign of your prayerful presence here.

If you are inspired to send a charitable offering, know that such gifts enable us to continue Mary’s ministry. Together, we continue to draw people closer to God through Our Lady, especially by sharing free, blessed Miraculous Medals. You can request medals to distribute to loved ones, neighbors, parishioners, or at a nearby Catholic school.

Thank you for your caring support of the Association of the Miraculous Medal. We look forward to receiving your special intentions. We hope to see you at the National Shrine on Sunday, May 3!     

Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,