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In Rome, we have begun the pilgrimage of the sacred image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, blessed (Wednesday, November 11th) in the Vatican by Pope Francis in the presence of the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, Father Tomaẑ Mavriĉ, CM and a small delegation of people. On November 26th, at 6:30pm, Marian prayer will take place at the Leonine. Then, on the morning of November 27, the image will be brought to the studios of Tv2000 where a special program in honor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal will take place and will be televised at 9:06-9:45am. On the same day, there will be a celebration of the Eucharist in the Leonine at 5:00pm and this will be transmitted by facebook (@SuperiorGeneralCM) … in light of the reduced number of persons who are able to be physically present in the church because of restrictions imposed by health officials, this transmission will allow everyone to participate in the celebration. At the conclusion of the Eucharist, the image will be brought in procession to the parish of San Gioacchino in Prati.

Since November 20, the image has been in the parish of Tor Sapienza and November 23 the image will be brought to the Leonine, where it will remain until November 27th when it will be brought to the parish of San Gioacchino in Prati. From there the image will be brought to the community of the Daughter of Charity (November 30th) and the following day (December 1st) the image will be brought to the church of Santa Andrea della Fratte and then on December 4th it will be brought to the community of the Daughters of Charity in Regina Mundi. On December 7th the Daughters of Charity in Santa Ágata will take charge of the image until December 10th when it will be brought to the parish of San Gregorio VII and then on December 12th to the parish of Santa Ana in the Vatican. Then the image will be brought to the parish of Santo Dimingo de Guzman on December 14th, the parish of Santa Francesca Cabrini on December 17th, the parish of San Francisco de Asis on December 19th. Then On December 21st, the image will return to the Leonine where it will remain until December 26th when it will be brought to the parish of San Lucas; on December 29th the image will be brought to Regina Pacis and December 30-31 to the community of the Daughters of Charity in Loreto (AN).

The pilgrimage of the image during the month of December will be primarilly in the various parishes of the city of Rome. The image will be brought to parishes thoughout Italy during 2021 and this pilgrimage has been organized to commemorate the 190th anniversary of the apparitions of the Blessed Mother to Catherine Laboure. The various stages of this pilgrimage and information related to this pilgrimage can be found on the facebook page of the Association of the Miraculous Medal: https://www.facebook.com/Medaglia-Miracolosa-pellegrina-105326204721580/

On the evening of July 18-19, 1830, Catherine Laboure, a young Daughter of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul saw the Blessed Mother and had a lengthy encounter with her. The Virgin stated: The times are very evil! Misfortunes afflict France … the entire world will experience misfortunes of all sorts … But come to the foot of this altar, there abundant graces will be spread over all those who ask for them with confidence and fervor … I have always watched over you. Then, on November 27th, 1830, Catherine Laboure saw the Blessed Mother again, holding a globe in her hand (representing humankind). Catherine contemplated her beauty and accepted the mission of having a medal made: the people who carry this medal will receive many graces.

Through this initiative of the pilgrimage of the image of Mary, the members of the Vincentian Family, faithful to the Word of God and inspired by their charism which calls them to serve God in the person of the poor, recall the fact that even today the Blessed Mother is inviting people to come to the foot of the altar.

After 190 years, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal continues to watch over humankind and comes, as a pilgrim, to visit and to the meet with the members of the Christian communities spread throughout Italy. Thus, Mary fulfills the promise of love that is contained in her message: I will be remain with you, trust and do not be discouraged.

Elena Grazini

Press Office

Vincentian Family

+39 338 190 24 36

elena@elenagrazini.it

press@famvin.org +39 338 190 24 36