Feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless this Christmas season to continue Mary’s mission

As a supporter of the Central Association for the Miraculous Medal (CAMM), your generosity helps us provide funding to the Vincentians of the Eastern Province. The Vincentians serve the poor and hungry through their parishes along the east coast of the U.S. and in Panama.

 

One of those hungry souls your prayerful support is helping to feed this Christmas season is little 4-year-old Emma.* The weather outside is cold as Emma clutches her mother’s hand, her small feet keeping pace as her family walks to the local food pantry run by the Vincentians.

 

Emma has only a vague understanding of why they’re there, but she knows her mommy often talks about it being “important for the family.” For this precious child, it’s a place where she sees shelves lined with cans and boxes, colorful packages, and pantry volunteers who smile at her. The warmth inside the parish pantry is a comforting contrast to the cold temperatures outside.

 

Like so many people in this economy, Emma’s parents have struggled to make ends meet for a while. Her father works long hours. But there just isn’t enough money left to buy groceries for the entire month after paying rent, utilities and other bills.

This makes the Vincentian’s food pantry a lifeline for the family. It gives Emma’s parents a sense of relief and allows them to put enough food on the table to feed their family. The Vincentians are always kind, and create the atmosphere of a community coming together to help one another in the spirit of Christ’s love.

 

Emma’s family exemplifies the poor that St. Vincent de Paul served so selflessly more than 400 years ago. It is in this interaction with the poor that we see the face of Christ. Like St. Vincent, the Vincentians work to help those experiencing hardship and homelessness. Your sacrificial gifts to CAMM help this vital work continue. And your generous support also helps the Vincentians address critical issues like housing and hunger in the communities they serve.

 

Not only should everyone have a safe home, but no one should go to bed hungry. To reach the community where they live, the

Vincentians have established food banks, soup kitchens, and food pantries in many of their areas, like where Emma’s family lives.

 

Emma’s parents hope that one day they won’t need the help of the local Vincentian food pantry. But they are grateful that it’s there when they need it most. And, while they wish they could provide more for their daughter on their own, they are deeply thankful for the kindness of those like you who are helping them get by this Christmas.

 

With the generosity of caring friends like you, we will continue bringing Christ “to the world and to every person” through Mary’s Miraculous Medal. With her graces and motherly help, and with our continuing support of the Vincentians, those suffering like little Emma’s family can find hope and healing — this Christmas and beyond.

 

*To protect family privacy, this is a composite story taken from the many children the Vincentians are helping with CAMM support

Receiving blessings from the Blessed Mother

The Miraculous Medal is different from any other medal ever created in all of history. It is the only medal designed by Our Lady herself, and it bestows extraordinary graces on those who wear it and pray for Mary’s intercession and help. Some of the stories of hope shared by members of our spiritual community include:

Heart-Felt Thanks

“I want to thank God and our Immaculate Mother Mary for allowing the results of my echo-cardiogram to be within normal range and there is nothing seriously wrong with my heart.”

Anxiety Relieved

“Thank You my Jesus for the blessing of victory and supernatural favor today at this end of the event. I was so scared and afraid and racked with anxiety but praise God all my prayers were answered and everything worked out well.”

Heart Softened

“Thank You Lord for softening Sandy’s heart and helping her. I praise Your name for this miracle in Jesus name.”

Trust in God

“Praise God! Zach was released in a tearful and cheerful applause from the family and medical staff early this evening. We are all most grateful for your continued prayers and support for Zach and his entire family. May God Bless you and your ministries and keep you all safe. Jesus, I Trust in You!”

Peace & Reconciliation

“I submitted a request from my heart basically wanted some form of peace regarding my son. He said sorry. Thank you. Thank you so very much.”

Good Test Results

“Lord God thank you for Dad’s great blood test results in Jesus name.”

Prayers to Mary - Help with Finances and Cancer Treatment

“Four weeks ago, I came to the Shrine to pray for assistance with finances for my husband and myself. Shortly after praying, a director position opened at my husband’s company. Despite his young age, we found out this week that he was offered this position and a significant raise that will allow us to pay for medication and house maintenance. Our Lady has guided us through so much in the last two years since I’ve visited here: cancer treatments, medical issues, and now finances. I’m so very blessed and thankful for her continued guidance, support, love, and light. Many prayers of thanks to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal!”

Novena Prayers to Give Husband a Second Chance

“My husband was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma in May and he immediately began a series of aggressive chemotherapy treatments to combat the disease. Several of our friends and relatives joined me in offering our prayers to Mary at the Novena in Germantown (including the Special Novena in June) that the treatments would be successful, and Our Lord, through Our Lady’s intercession, answered our prayers. My husband’s latest tests showed no signs of the disease. Thank you to Our Lord and his Blessed Mother for giving my husband a second chance.”

Autistic Grandson

“My grandson, who is autistic, needs special help with reading and will be going into 6th grade. It was recommended that he attended a special school. The cost was $40,000 a year. We applied for a scholarship that I prayed we would receive during the Novena of Hope. We received a call during the Novena that we received the scholarship. Thank you, my Blessed Mother, for once again hearing our prayers.”

The gift for those who have everything

Christmas is upon us again and many of us are wondering what to get family members who have everything. The answer is something everyone needs — prayer!

Those who believe in the true meaning of Christmas will greatly appreciate a gift of “Family Perpetual Enrollment” in our Miraculous Medal Family of Prayers. This enrollment includes all members of the immediate and extended family, both living and deceased. All share perpetually (during life and after death) in the spiritual benefits of the Masses and prayers offered by our Vincentian priests for all those enrolled.

Includes a Perpetual Enrollment Certificate to give the family you enroll. What a great consolation to those who believe and know that masses will continue to be offered for the entire family, even after they are gone!

Call toll-free 1-800-523-3674 to order by phone. Or visit us online at www.giftshop.miraculousmedal.org

GIFT SHOP HOURS:

Monday - 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday thru Thursday - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Friday - 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Remembrance Candles – A Special Way to Honor Your Loved Ones

Celebrate the loving memory of a lost one by lighting a remembrance candle at The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Keep a light burning in remembrance to signify that your loved one’s memory still lives on and burns bright. For one year, your special intention or loved one’s name will encircle the candle burning at one of our special shrines where devotees and visitors will see your candle and offer prayers in remembrance of them.

You can choose from St. Catherine or The Pieta in the upper shrine or Our Lady of Guadalupe, Vailankanni, La Leche, Fiat, St. Joseph, St. Anne, or Sacred Heart in the lower shrine.

Find them all here: https://giftshop.miraculousmedal.org/ remembrance-candles/

Please call 1-800-523-3674 to order by phone today!

Our representative will ask you to indicate your dedication or prayer intention when processing your order.

Great gift ideas from the Miraculous Medal Shrine Gift Shop

Limited Quantities! Please call 215-848-6073 to order by phone today! Or visit our website: giftshop.miraculousmedal.org/product-category/seasonal/christmas

Become a Rays of Hope Donor

As a member of our monthly giving supporters, Rays of Hope, you are helping us fulfill our mission to spread the devotion and love of Our Blessed Mother. Help us reach out to the hungry and heartbroken souls, who come to us for comfort, support, and solace. As a member, you will:

✝ Be remembered in our prayers throughout the year

✝ Have your intentions placed on the altar at the Miraculous Medal Shrine

✝ Be entitled to a 25% discount on all purchases of religious items

✝ Receive The Message magazine twice a year.

If you would like additional information concerning the Personal Monthly Pledge, call our toll-free number: (800) 523-3674 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. EST.

© The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal 2025