Author: Michelle Weiler

Greetings from all of us here at Our Lady’s Association in Perryville, Missouri, home of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal!

My name is Father Clayton Kilburn. I have been a Vincentian priest of the Congregation of the Mission’s Western Province for more than 44 years.

A little about me …

I grew up in Wilson, Arkansas. I am the only child born to Mary and Warren Kilburn. Raised in the Catholic faith, my devotion to Mary (and the Miraculous Medal in particular) began in high school. I loved serving at Mass as an altar server, but thought of marriage as my destiny rather than the priesthood. My discernment to the priesthood didn’t begin until I was 29 during my early career as an electrical engineer with an aerospace company in California.

Following my ordination in 1979, I served five and a half years as a missionary priest in Burundi, Africa. My next assignment, as an associate pastor in a culturally diverse California parish, lasted 10 years.

Between 1996 – 2019, I served as pastor of Saint Joseph Mission in Keams Canyon, Arizona. This remote parish in a remote diocese serves the Hopi and Navajo Native people on the adjoining reservation. It was my privilege to try to bring healing and reconciliation there, a place with a history of persecution between cultures and nations.

I took a three year leave of absence to care for my mother who was suffering with dementia. Following my mother’s passing, I was assigned to live at the Apostle of Charity Residence and to serve as a Senior Priest in Residence at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Perryville, Missouri. After arriving here at 80 years old, I thought I was near the end of my career.

I was then approached by Father Pat McDevitt, Western Province Provincial. Father Pat invited me to return to serve as Spiritual Director for the Association of the Miraculous Medal.

He had no idea the blessing I considered this to be — a gift from Mary!

I didn’t hesitate in accepting, embracing this call. I am convinced that Our Lady needs the faithful members of AMM to bring her message to our sinful world. Desiring redemption for all souls, Our Blessed Mother is appealing to us to walk in Christ’s light so as to be a light in others’ darkness.

Wearing a Miraculous Medal is one of the easiest ways we bear witness to Jesus and Mary. With not even a word, when others meet us they can see immediately what is deeply important to us.

I look forward to continuing to build on my predecessors’ holy work at the Association of the Miraculous Medal. I am wholly convinced that it is by modeling Mary’s way that we become Jesus’ foremost disciples, disciples who salt the earth and light the world (Matthew 5:13-14). By our prayerful trust in God and loving kindness toward all, we shall draw closer to heaven itself.

As we go forth together in discovering what God desires next for Mary’s Association, may I ask for the favor of your prayers? Likewise, I pledge my utmost attention to upholding you and your intentions in my daily Mass and devotions.

You may reach me by email at: ammfather@amm.org. Should you visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal here in Perryville, Missouri, perhaps our paths will cross. If you’ve never had the occasion to visit us, now’s the time to do so.

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

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

Sincerely yours in Jesus and Mary,

In the past seven years of serving as Spiritual Director for the Association of the Miraculous Medal, I have met hundreds of dedicated members — and heard from thousands more. AMM is blessed with a worldwide family of faith, along with a dedicated staff and board of directors, members, and volunteers who make our ministry possible.

It has been a privilege to pray with you and for you along life’s daily road. God has placed us in one another’s lives for a purpose. We honor and fulfill that purpose by our mutual respect and loving support for Mary’s ministry here in Perryville.

But times and seasons change. So too, ministries.

I have been called to help meet the ever-changing needs of the Church in a new capacity. While no longer serving as Spiritual Director, I will nevertheless continue to be an active AMM member wherever my ministry takes me. And I know that Our Blessed Mother, who has watched over me throughout my four-plus decades of priestly ministry, will continue to do so.

Allow me to introduce you to Father Clayton Kilburn, C.M., as AMM’s incoming Spiritual Director.

Father Clay has been a priest of the Congregation of the Mission since 1979. Father Clay has served in numerous ministries for the Vincentians, including missionary posts in remote regions both here in the United States and abroad. We have been working together to ensure a smooth transition. You’re in good hands.

Let us look forward together for what God has in store for the future of the international Association of the Miraculous Medal — and AMM here in Perryville, in particular. I know you’ll join me in thanksgiving for the pastoral gifts Father Clay has to offer.

One final thought.

Spiritual Directors come and go. But as a faithful member of our AMM family, you are its heart and soul.

I thank you for all you do to spread devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and for your support of the Vincentians both here and abroad. Every prayer you’ve offered up for our work, every gift you’ve shared, every Miraculous Medal you’ve given away to inspire another — these are the mark of our universal family of faith. It is you who are bringing Jesus to the world through Mary, the Mother of God and Mother of the Church.

Thank you and God bless you always!

Sincerely yours in Mary and Jesus,

Father Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director

P.S. As I say farewell for now, be assured of my gratitude and continued prayers for you and your needs. Should my schedule permit, I look forward to joining a future pilgrimage with Association members.

P.P.S. Please continue to use any cards or certificates you may have that contain my signature. As you can imagine, it will take some time to changeover these items on which Father Kilburn’s name is printed. The spiritual benefits will remain the same.

“The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead … “ (Wisdom 3:1-2)

Can you recall hearing these words at a funeral Mass? The consoling passage often concludes in verse 9 with words of great hope: “… grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect.”

While we have hope in God’s grace and mercy, we nevertheless grieve the loss of those close to us. Death can also leave us regretful for missed opportunities to love — the good we may have failed to say or do.

But because our loved ones are very much alive in spirit, it is never too late to express our affection and even hasten their entrance into God’s heavenly kingdom.

Yes, even now, your prayers on behalf of deceased family and friends benefit them, for prayer is a sign of faith, and faith has saving power.

Death does not have the last word.

On November 2, Catholics around the world celebrate All Souls Day, a feast that invites you to intercede for those who have passed from this life, but may not yet know the joy of living fully in the presence of God.

God transcends time, place, even death. What does this mean? It means that the prayers you offer today can be spiritually “applied toward” helping a loved one at the moment of death. What a powerful gift this is!  

Please join with thousands of AMM members who are turning in faith to Jesus through Mary on All Souls Day.

At the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, we would be honored to remember your deceased loved ones in Mass on All Souls Day and throughout the month of November.

Simply share your “Remembrance List.“ The names you share will rest near the foot of Mary’s Shrine Altar during our All Souls Day Liturgy. We’ll remember them throughout November and during the anniversary month of their passing.

You may also burn a Votive Light for your departed loved ones. This, too, signifies your faith in Christ as the light of life.

We welcome any other special intentions you’d like remembered in daily Mass and prayer throughout the month of November.

We will use your All Souls Day offering to assist in our work of drawing others closer to Jesus through devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Your gift will also support Vincentian vocations and ministries.

Let us continue to intercede for the souls of the departed in union with the communion of saints, and for the glory of God’s kingdom to come! 

May Our Blessed Mother watch over you, comfort you, and guide you each day. I thank you sincerely for your generous care of Our Lady’s Association.

In the love of Jesus and Mary,

Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director 

 ​P.S.   May God’s grace and mercy be with those who have gone before us. I will watch for the names of your deceased loved ones. We are honored to remember them in Mass and prayer on All Souls Day and throughout the month of November.

Life on this earth is fragile and fleeting. I recall the touching story a member of Our Lady’s Association shared with us:     

“Parishioners had been praying for the recovery of my friend, Patti, from cancer. She was only 42, a loving wife and mother of three. Many petitions asking God to heal Patti were written on an intentions log inside the parish Adoration Chapel. But sadly, Patti passed away. On visiting the Chapel a few days later, I read a new petition written the day after her death. It said: ‘Thank you, Lord, for Patti’s complete healing.’     

My first thought was, ‘What complete healing?’ But then the spiritual truth shone through, a humbling reminder of something I’d forgotten. Our ultimate healing is found in being united with God —a gift far greater than even a miraculous cure for cancer.”

When someone close to us dies, or loses a beloved family member or friend, we look to offer a meaningful gesture of comfort and consolation to those left behind.     

The gift of Our Lady’s prayerful intercession is a powerful gift of solace.     

The Memorial Remembrance Card can be sent to someone who has recently lost a loved one — or who will soon mark the anniversary of a passing. This card offers a spiritual remembrance of the deceased in the daily Mass and prayers at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal for one year.     

Send me the names of the departed loved ones.      

Mary will stand by your loved one, just as she stood beside Jesus throughout his Holy Passion.

Why? Because she understands better than anyone how fragile and fleeting life is. Even more so, because she loves us with the purest and most ardent affection that any mother on earth or in heaven possibly could!     

To add to your memorial remembrance, you may also burn a Votive Light for the soul of the deceased and the intentions of the bereaved. Simply mark the Votive Light box on your reply form, and be sure to add the Votive Light announcement inside the Memorial Remembrance Card you send.     

We appreciate any charitable gift you include to further AMM’s ministry of sharing God’s love through Our Lady. She is an unfailing sign of hope in every season of life.

“O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”     

I look forward to receiving your prayerful intentions. May God richly reward you for the gift of compassion and spiritual care you offer someone in their time of need.                                                             
Gratefully in Our Lord and Blessed Mother,  

Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director 

P.S. You may request additional Memorial Remembrance Cards by calling us at 1-800-264-6279, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT. Or, order through AMM’s website at www.amm.org. 

 May God bless the ones you love through

your gift of the Memorial Remembrance Card

and your confident hope in Our Lady’s intercession.

Recently, a member reflected on her mother’s last few weeks of life with Alzheimer’s disease.

 “Her eyes stared vacantly. Her words had long left her. But her hands —my mom’s hands seemed to still strive to serve and to love. Mindlessly moving plates and cups, she set the table. Fiddling with a pair of socks for an hour was doing laundry. Picking up a baby doll, she soothed her child. My favorite was when she reached out and swept my hair away from my face, reminding me of when I was little and she’d say, It’s time to trim those bangs.”

How much love comes through a mother’s hands! Is it not the same with Our Blessed Mother?

Mary desires to give you heavenly graces through her loving hands. She longs to hold you close to her heart, nurture your spiritual growth, shower you with God’s mercy, comfort you in your suffering, and guide you every day, all the way home to heaven.

Today, I invite you to place your needs in Mary’s loving hands.

September 15 is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. On that day, a Mass will be offered for you and your intentions at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal here in Perryville, Missouri. Fellow Vincentians and AMM staff members will remember your intentions in prayer at this Mass.

On our grounds is a beautiful bronze statue of Mary, depicting Our Lady as she appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré. Her hands are open to receive the joys and sorrows of her beloved children.

Your petitions will be literally placed into the hands of this statue as a symbol of your desire to take your needs to Jesus, through Mary. They will then be taken to the Shrine Church to rest near her altar throughout the month of September.

Remember what Mary told Catherine: “Come to the foot of the altar. There graces will be shed upon all, great and little, who ask for them.”Her words are meant for you, too!

You may also have the opportunity to burn a Votive Light at the National Shrine. Doing so can be a visible sign of your love and devotion to Mary.

Finally, AMM is presenting two unique gifts you can request in return for the suggested offerings indicated.

The first is a six-inch poly resin bronze gold finish statue — a replica of the very same bronze statue of Mary upon which we’ll be placing your intentions. The second gift is a Palm Cross, inlaid with a beautiful Miraculous Medal. Both items have been blessed at the site of the bronze statue of Mary here at Our Lady’s National Shrine.

So much love comes through a mother’s hands! By placing your intentions into the hands of the Blessed Virgin, she can carry your needs to her Son on your behalf.

Thank you in advance for your loving support of Our Lady’s Association and your confidence in her promise to obtain God’s graces for all who ask.                                                            

Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,

Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director  

P.S. You can receive free, blessed Miraculous Medals on an explanation card to share with family, friends, co-workers, schools, etc., by calling our office Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT, or by ordering online through our website, www.amm.org.