The Bible never says so, but saints through the ages have shared a certainty that when Christ rose from the dead, the first person he appeared to was Our Lady.

During one Easter sermon, Saint Vincent Ferrer pointed out that if a good son returned from afar, knowing everyone believed he had perished, he surely would not go to other friends before visiting his own mother.

“There never was a mother who loved her son more than Mary loved Christ … It follows that he appeared to her first, who was [tried] more than all the others.”

Mary knows and feels your sufferings as keenly as she did Our Lord’s.

As you journey with Jesus throughout Lent, I invite you to stay close in prayer to his and Our Blessed Mother. She desires to walk beside you in your need, shower you with heaven’s graces, and rejoice with you as you are renewed in spirit this Easter.

Daily, the Association of the Miraculous Medal hears from members about Mary’s intercession along their way of suffering. This letter is from a faithful member in Minnesota:

“Dear Father,  

I am not perfect in my prayer life, but I do my best. I always prayed to Our Lord, but not to Our Blessed Mother because I did not have a deep devotion to her.

Maybe that was because I was not a mother myself. I always wanted a family of my own, but life had other plans for me.

I remember the night I was crying in desperation and complete agony. In much physical pain, I was lost and feeling hopeless. Nothing made sense. My sobs became uncontrollable. I was so confused and started looking around the room as if the answers were there. Suddenly, my eyes came across a small picture of Our Blessed Mother. I cried out loud, “O Mother Mary, help me! Please help me!” I was still crying, but something inside my soul changed. An incredible sense of peace came over me — almost like someone saying to me that everything would be okay. At that moment, the fears and anxieties that had almost consumed me were quelled. I now know why.

Our Blessed Mother was watching over me. She heard my desperate plea for help. My life has gone on and today I am doing much better. Mary has become my constant heavenly comforter and special confidant.”

This Easter, may God bless you with a similar blessing, rising beyond sorrows or doubts to new life in Christ!

And to help you share this joyous grace of hope found in the love of the risen Lord through Our Lady’s intercession, Order your Easter cards that you can send to loved ones. They contain the promise of prayer for each recipient. If you return their names to us, they will be remembered in the Association’s octave of Masses beginning on Easter Sunday and concluding on Divine Mercy Sunday. You may send your special intentions or request to burn a Votive Light for the needs of your loved ones.

Our Vincentian priests and brothers offer their prayerful support for you and your needs not only at Easter, but all year long.

If you would like more Easter cards, we’ll be happy to send them. Please request them before March 16. You can order your cards here or call us at 1-800-264-6279 weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT.

Our Lord gave the world his own Mother to perfect us in love along our daily road. Let us rejoice as she leads each of us to the fullness of new life in her Son this Easter season!

Yours in Jesus and Mary,

Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director