Welcome to “Lent: Through the Eyes of Mary,” an original video series produced by the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal in collaboration with the Vincentians of the Eastern Province, USA. Throughout Lent 2023, our series explores how the 16 Earthly apparitions of Mary that have been recognized by the Vatican help to guide faithful Catholics on our Lenten journeys of prayer and sacrifice.

In this video, Fr. Aidan Rooney, CM, Executive Vice President for Mission at St. John’s University in Queens, New York, introduces us to the series and reflects on how we can embrace the Blessed Mother’s example during Lent.

Transcript:

Today, Ash Wednesday, we begin the season of Lent, a time of prayer, reflection, charity and sacrifice when we atone for our sins and prepare to witness Christ’s passion and resurrection. Each year during this period, the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal, a Vincentian ministry, presents an original video series to inspire our Catholic family and help us deepen our relationship with God through personal and spiritual growth. This year, as we accompany each other on this Lenten journey, we will focus on the guidance that Our Blessed Mother has bestowed on us through her many earthly apparitions. Mary has remained in nearly continuous contact with us over the centuries through these miraculous events. She appeared to us at Knock, Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, and the Rue du bac chapel in Paris, each time delivering a unique yet universal message of faith, love, peace, prayer, and communion with God. In this way, Mary is the ultimate guide to lead us on our own Lenten journeys and as we strive toward holiness every day of the year. In that spirit we present “Lent, Through the Eyes of Mary”. Over the next forty days, you will hear the inspiring stories of sixteen Marian apparitions that have been recognized by the Vatican and serve as sources of devotion throughout the world. We welcome and encourage you to follow us throughout Lent on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and at miraculousmedal.org, and you may sign up to have links to these videos sent directly to your email Inbox, as we affirm Mary’s profound and timeless message to us all.