CONGREGAZIONE DELLA MISSIONE
CURIA GENERALIZIA

CONGREGAZIONE DELLA MISSIONE
CURIA GENERALIZIA

Via dei Capasso, 30                                                                                                                                  Tel. (39) 06 661 3061
00164 Roma – Italia                                                                                                                                   Fax (39) 06 666 3831
                                                                                                                                                                  e-mail: cmcuria@tin.it

8, May 2006

To all members of the National Councils and local groups of the Association of the Miraculous Medal throughout the world

Dear sisters and brothers,

May the grace and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ fill your hearts now and forever!

I send my greetings to all of you and my hope that the Blessed Virgin bless you and accompany you in all your projects.

In the meeting last October, the participants made several proposals to me in order that we might continue animating and promoting the life and apostolate of the Association of the Miraculous Medal in the world.  One of those proposals said this:

To promote a Day of Economic Solidarity and Prayer, setting an annual date so that all the members might take up a collection to support the activities of the International Council.

On 30-31 January in Paris, at the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity, I met with the Coordinating Council and we studied this proposal.  We decided as follows:

We invite all of you, members of National Councils and local groups of the AMM throughout the world, to organize and participate in a day of prayer and reflection which includes in it some activity to raise funds for supporting the International Council.  The objectives of this activity are: 1) to unite all the members of the Association in a special moment of prayer for the intentions of everyone and for the poor and the families of those we serve and evangelize; 2) to have a time of common formation because, as we know well, that is of vital importance to the Association; and 3) to support financially the animation activities that the International Coordinating Council undertakes for formation and the spread of the Association throughout the world.

Here are some practical suggestions to carry out this action in your countries or groups:

It could be the very day of the apparition of Our Lady to St. Catherine Labouré (27 November) or around that date, as is most convenient for you under your local circumstances.

You could plan it in collaboration with the Vincentian missionaries or with the Daughters of Charity if they are present in your area.  Other branches of the Vincentian Family, which are present in your area, could also be invited.

* Plan a time of prayer, reflecting on:
                        –          The message of Our Lady to St. Catherine Labouré,

1. The presence of Mary in the journey of the Church (Lumen Gentium, chapter 8),
2. Mary, model of evangelization and service to the most cut off and needy (Annunciation, Visitation, Wedding Feast at Cana).

*          Plan a time of formation, taking up again some of the formation or catechetical topics that the International AMM offers us and that we can find easily on the website: www.amminter.org

* Organize some concrete activity to raise funds; for example, a raffle, a lottery, the sale of some product or food among the members of the local community.

The funds raised can be sent to the National Council, which, in turn, will send them to the International Coordinating Council of the AMM.  There are two means of doing so:

First: through the Provincial Treasurer of the Province of the Congregation of the Mission in your country, who, in turn, will send them to the General Treasurer.

Second: Direct deposit to this account:

Bank: BBVA - Bancomer
Name on the account: Benjamín Romo
Number of the account: 01218000151583670
Mexico City. MEXICO

If you make a deposit, please notifiy Fr. Benjamín Romo of the amount sent, the date on which it was sent and the person sending it.

I am very grateful to the National Councils and to each member in particular for all your generous dedication to the Association and for the fidelity and Christian witness which you offer there where God has placed you.  I encourage you to continue working hard for the spread of the message of love and salvation that the Blessed Virgin has left you.  I encourage you to continue working for the consolidation and growth of the Association, especially among the new generations, as the participants in the October 2005 Meeting asked, saying: “Further ensure the integration and participation of young people within the AMM by sharing the Marian message and the apostolate of service to the poor especially through spiritual and apostolic life.”

Your brother in St. Vincent,

G. Gregory Gay, C.M.
Director General of the AMM

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