The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal is providing two aids as encouragement for distributing medals during advent – a sample announcement before distribtuion of the medals and homily aids for the first Sunday of Advent.
Announcement before the Miraculous Medal envelopes are distributed.
This year is the 100th Anniversary of the Association of the Miraculous Medal. We celebrate the fact that Mary Immaculate appeared to us and asked us to wear the medal that she gave to St. Catherine Laboure, in Paris, France, in 1830. Mary promised many graces for the intentions of those who would wear the medal and ask her to intercede with her Son, Jesus Christ. As you know, we Vincentians and Daughters of Charity have a special devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal because she gave the medal to us to promote to all.
Because of the Anniversary this year, we want everyone to have a Miraculous Medal and participate in the centennial. We want all of our parishioners to know about Mary Immaculate and the Miraculous Medal. The ushers will now pass out an envelope for you to take home. The envelope has the story of the Miraculous Medal, the Novena Prayer and a medal. Please take it home. Let us never fail to ask Mary Immaculate for her intercession for our needs.
Homily Aid for Sunday, November 30, 2008
Below are some major points that can be used for an Advent homily. They are offered to you as an option. You may wish to add some examples.
- Advent is the season of preparation for Christ’s coming yesterday, today, and tomorrow – in history 2000 years ago, in mystery ( today in the Eucharist) and finality (in the second coming). Advent is about “preparation for Christ†and Mary exemplified this more than anyone else.
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- The Miraculous Medal shows Mary with arms outstretched and open. In many ways this image shows what Mary said to the Angel Gabriel – “Behold the handmaid of the Lordâ€. This could be another image of her great openness to God, her great “Fiat†– “Let it be done to me according to your word.â€
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- The figure of Mary on the Miraculous Medal is a figure of her poverty – she is poor materially. She holds nothing in her hands; she clings to nothing. The image has no defenses. She is totally open.
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- We are preparing ourselves to receive God, to let God come to us like Mary did. We pray that God will now be in charge in our life like Mary – all of our actions and love. All of our Advent activities should help us become open and responsive to God.
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- This medal then contains the image of what we want our life to be with God – open and totally responsive. This medal is a sign to us and others that we always invite God in first. This medal shows that we too are like Mary.
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- With arms outstretched and hands open, we join Mary in obedience to (love of) God and her son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Sprit unites with our spirit and cries out – “Behold your handmaid Lord, we come to do your will, that all may have your divine life and live forever.â€
Tags: Mary the Mother of Jesus, Miraculous Medal
