Recently, a visitor to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal told of an extraordinary moment he experienced at the site of a particular statue of the Blessed Virgin:

“I was alone, visiting the bronze statue of Mary. Something came over me, and I was in tears. In the middle of my prayer, I felt a hand on my shoulder. A feminine hand. I could feel five fingertips. They squeezed my shirt. It stopped me in my tracks … I turned around – ‘Is that you, Holy Mother?’ No one was there, but I had that feeling, it was her. I was in tears the whole way home.” Tony O.

The beautiful bronze statue of Mary that Tony visited shows Our Lady seated, just as she appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré in 1830. Mary told Catherine: “Come to the foot of the altar. Graces will be shed on all, great and little, especially upon those who ask for them.”

Our Lady’s hands are open to you, too.

Mary desires to receive your joys and sorrows – and help answer your needs, giving you limitless graces obtained through her Son.

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

This year, the feast of the Immaculate Conception will be observed on Monday, December 9. 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. My fellow Vincentians, along with AMM staff members, will remember your intentions in prayer at this Mass.

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 placed at the foot of her altar inside the Shrine Church for remembrance throughout the month of December.

You also have the opportunity to burn a Votive Light at the National Shrine – a visible sign of your love and devotion to Mary.

Finally, AMM is highlighting two unique gifts you can request in return for a suggested offering.

The first is a six-inch poly resin bronze gold finish statue — a replica of the bronze statue I referred to above. The second gift is a Palm Cross, inlaid with a beautiful blue enamel Miraculous Medal. Both items have been blessed here at the National Shrine.

So I encourage you to place your intentions into Our Lady’s hands, that she may carry your needs to her Son on your behalf.

Thank you in advance for your loving support of AMM. May God bless your every effort to serve him and draw you ever closer to himself.

Sincerely in Jesus and Mary,

P.S. You can receive free, blessed Miraculous Medals on an explanation card to share with family, friends, co-workers, schools, etc. Use the enclosed reply form or call our office 1-800-264-MARY (6279) Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT. You may also order through our online gift shop at: www.amm.org.