Category: What’s New?

Don’t miss our Fall Bulletin! This issue includes a parting message from Father Kevin McCracken. We welcome Father Clayton Kilburn, C.M., as Amm’s new spiritual director. We ask Our Lady to continue to accompany us in our ministry and bless Father Clay’s efforts to fulfill the Association’s mission with fortitude and fidelity.

Also in this issue, Don Fulford, AMM’s CEO, reflects on a summer pastime from his youth and what it might mean when “letting go” for an eternity comes around. And if you’re considering traveling to Europe in 2024, check out the preview of AMM’s spring pilgrimage to northern France. Vincentian vocation director, Father Toshio Sato, C.M., discusses the encouraging signs of faith he sees among today’s youth.

Finally, be sure to check out this year’s Christmas cards and other special gifts Quantities are limited so order soon.

The Association’s annual Rosary Octave of Prayer will begin on Saturday, October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Saint Pius V established this feast in 1573 in gratitude for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto, a victory attributed to widespread recitation of the Rosary.

Pope Francis has encouraged the faithful to “rediscover, especially during the month of October, the beauty of the prayer of the Rosary, which has nourished the faith of the Christian people through the centuries … The recitation of the Rosary is the most beautiful prayer we can offer to the Virgin Mary; it is a contemplation on the stages of the life of Jesus the Savior with his Mother and is a weapon that protects us from evils and temptations.”

Beyond its power to help us individually, the Blessed Virgin has urged the recitation of the Rosary as a means of restoring peace in the face of wars, oppression, and social injustice. You are invited to be among those AMM members joining us from home to pray five mysteries of the Rosary daily for eight days. Send your intentions to be remembered in prayer throughout the octave at Our Lady’s Shrine. You may also request Votive Lights to burn for your needs or as a gift of gratitude for blessings and favors Our Lady has already obtained for you and those you love.

How do you plan to share the gift of Jesus this Christmas? Spiritual remembrance Christmas cards make thoughtful gifts for loved ones near and far. Each of the three designs focus on the true meaning of this pivotal event in the history of the world. Each Christmas card you send offers your recipient a special remembrance in an octave of Masses beginning Christmas Day at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, and during a Mass offered by a Vincentian priest every week throughout 2024. Order today! Read Fr. Clay’s letter, which shares an endearing legend about a poor shepherd boy who’s given the greatest gift of all time.

On November 27, 1830, the Blessed Virgin appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré in the image of the Miraculous Medal the young novice was to promote …

With arms outstretched, brilliant rays shone forth from Mary’s fingers. Shimmering words took shape, forming a gilded frame: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.” Our Lady spoke: “Have a medal struck after this model. All who wear it will receive great graces; it should be worn around the neck …”  

The apparition turned to reveal the back side of the medal: a large “M,” interwoven with a cross on a bar. Underneath were two hearts, one encircled with thorns (Jesus), and the other pierced with a sword (Mary). Twelve stars created a shining oval frame. 

Annually, AMM invites members to join in prayerful observance of Mary giving the design of the miraculous Medal to Saint Catherine to share with the world. AMM will hold its annual Miraculous Medal Novena of Masses November 18 – 26 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Share your personal prayer intentions here to be placed near Mary’s Shrine Altar throughout the nine days of the novena and on Monday, November 27, the feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. You may also request Votive Lights to burn for your petitions.  

As you face each day’s joys and struggles, the very purpose of the Miraculous Medal is to help you draw nearer to the love of Jesus through Our Blessed Mother. By the intercession she has promised, God will pour out endless grace and blessings upon his children. Father Clay’s letter shares more, including inspiring testimonials of several AMM members.

The Association of the Miraculous Medal welcomes Reverend Clayton Kilburn, C.M., as Spiritual Director beginning September 1. Father Clay succeeds Father Kevin McCracken, C.M., who served in the role for seven years and will be undertaking a new ministry for the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Fathers).

Father Clay was ordained as a priest of the Congregation of the Mission in 1979. His prior assignments included pastoral and missionary posts in remote regions of the United States as well as overseas. He is the author of Living Faith Faithfully and Why We Do It, a compilation of previously published reflections on faith and Catholic teachings.

“I look forward to continuing to build on my predecessors’ holy work at the Association of the Miraculous Medal,” Father Clay stated. “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 appeals to us to walk in Christ’s light. By modeling her way of living, we can all become disciples who are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.” Read letters from both Father Kevin and Father Clay.

Your prayers for dearly departed loved ones are a powerful spiritual gift that can hasten their journey toward full and everlasting union with God.  

Join AMM’s All Souls Day observance at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on November 2. Sharing the names of deceased relatives and friends assures them of a special remembrance throughout the month of November, as well as during the anniversary month of their passing. In his all-powerful existence that transcends the limits of earthly time, God can apply the merits of your prayers to assist your departed loved ones. What a powerful gift this is! You may also request a Votive Light to burn for your deceased loved ones. Father Kevin’s letter tells more about All Souls Day.

As members of the Association of the Miraculous Medal, we embrace the call to encourage others to live in complete trust and humble surrender to Jesus as Mary did. We appeal to Our Lady for all the graces needed in our lives.

How can you follow the example of Saint Catherine Labouré in practical, simple ways?

You can find opportunities to tell others the joyous story of her faith-filled life and her encounter with Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. You can request free, blessed Miraculous Medals attached to an explanation card to carry with you and to share with others. In additon, for a suggested offering, you may order our beautiful double bookmark as a gift to anyone seeking the graces Mary promised to all who turn to her in complete confidence.

It is through gifts great and small that AMM is able to mail millions of free, blessed Miraculous Medals each year. Will you support AMM’s ministry with a special contribution today? Your generosity will help ensure that Mary’s mission to share the Miraculous Medal continues for generations to come. And with your gift of $29 or more, you can request a copy of The Illustrated Book of Mary, a special hardback volume exploring Mary’s many devotional titles, prayers, information about feast days, and more.

Making the sign of the cross with holy water recalls your Baptism, the joyous moment of your entrance into the Christian family. Blessing yourself daily is a powerful sign of faith. The use of holy water in your home is suggested to encourage a deeper spirit of prayerfulness among your family. Request your commemorative bottle filled with 4 ounces of holy water blessed here at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Missouri. The suggested offering of $8 per bottle includes shipping and handling. 

This sacramental makes a wonderful gift for loved ones, and your offering furthers AMM’s mission to draw souls closer to Jesus through devotion to Mary, especially under her title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Order your holy water here. Or, call 1-800-264-6279, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT.

When a friend or relative is grieving the loss of a loved one or the anniversary of a death is drawing near, your kindness can be of great comfort. Share the consoling gift of prayer by sending this beautiful Memorial Remembrance Card to the bereaved. It offers the deceased loved one a remembrance in the daily Mass and prayers at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal for one year.  

You may also burn a Votive Light inside the Shrine’s beautiful Votive Light Sanctuary for your departed loved ones.  

Read Fr. Kevin’s letter here. It shares more about how the Memorial Remembrance Card can bring hope to someone in their time of need.  

Recently we heard from an AMM member who received condolences from Fr. Kevin: “I was deeply touched that you remembered my husband and prayed for him, and for me, on the anniversary of his death. When I received your card, my spirit was lifted up to God, and I thanked him for all the years we had together.”

“A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”   Revelation 12:1 

 Tuesday, August 15, marks a joyous feast in the liturgical year. Our Lady’s Assumption into heaven was affirmed by the Second Vatican Council in one of its principal documents called Lumen gentium. Its declaration is now part of the Catholic Catechism: “Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.” (Catholic Catechism, Article 9, Paragraph 6, 966)  

Join with members of the Association of the Miraculous Medal in praying this prayer throughout the month of August and especially during the nine days of the Novena of Masses being held August 6-14, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and on the Solemnity of the Assumption, August 15.  

 You may also burn a Votive Light, confident that the Queen of Heaven will not delay in presenting your special intentions to our sovereign King and Lord of all, Jesus Christ.

As we look toward the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, you are invited to place yourself and your needs in Mary’s loving hands in a very special way. On the September 15 feast day, Vincentians and staff at the Association of the Miraculous Medal in Perryville, Missouri, will celebrate Mass and offer a special remembrance of your intentions. Your shared petitions will be placed into the hands of this statue at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, a sign of your faith-filled appeal to Jesus, presented through Mary. Be sure to read Fr. Kevin’s letter.  Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!

As teachers and students prepare to return to the classroom, please join AMM members in praying for them. Click here to share the names of those you’d like remembered in the daily Mass and prayers offered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal throughout the coming school year. For a suggested offering of $10 each, you may also request the “Backpack Mary Medal” with a lobster claw clasp to give as a thoughtful back-to-school gift for a special child, grandchild, or teacher. You may also request up to 500 free, blessed Miraculous Medals on story cards to distribute to Catholic schoolchildren, educators, and family members. Each medal comes on an attractive fold-over card explaining its origin. (Browse AMM’s online gift shop for more medal options, Votive Light cards, and more.)

As Fr. Kevin’s letter reminds us, Mary desires to bring her children to the fullness of truth. She inspires teachers and students who are open to her promptings. Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us!