The annual May Procession will take place on the grounds of Saint Mary’s of the Barrens at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 4. The procession will form in front of the historic church, home to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Rosary will be recited as the group processes to the grotto on the Rosary Walk. At the grotto, roses will be presented to Our Blessed Mother by the First Communicants, and written petitions received from members of the Association of the Miraculous Medal from throughout the United States will be presented to Mary by the eighth-grade Confirmands. A dogwood tree display covered with petals, representing members’ prayer requests, will be placed at the grotto.
Assisted by the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Choir, familiar Marian hymns will be sung. Everyone will join in a prayer service. Reese Zoellner, the prefect of the “Children of Mary” Sodality of St. Vincent High School, will have the honor of crowning the statue of Our Blessed Mother.
The May Court attendants include Allie Patrick, Callie Clements, and Kaitlyn Buerck, along with their escorts, Jace Hennemann, Clayton Gremaud, Noah Hager, and Ethan Hotop, who are members of the high school St. Vincent de Paul Society. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will present a sword salute during the crowning ceremony.
Fr. Clay Kilburn, C.M., Spiritual Director of the Association of the Miraculous Medal, will be the presider, and a “Tribute to Mary” will be given by Fr. Jim Osendorf, C.M.
“Fr. Jim” is a member of the Congregation of the Mission, Western Province. He was born in Long Beach, Calif., and was ordained a priest in 1980. His past assignments include teaching at St. John’s Seminary College in Camarillo and serving as a chaplain for four years in the United States Navy at Parris Island (one of the Marine Corps boot camps) and Bahrain. He is the Superior for Saint Mary’s of the Barrens Church in Perryville.
Due to the limited seating at the grotto, visitors are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. In the event of inclement weather, the procession will be held inside the Shrine Church. For more information, contact the Association of the Miraculous Medal at 1-800-264-MARY (6279) or ammfather@amm.org.
Following the May Procession, a Spanish Mass will be held inside the National Shrine Church at 3 p.m. Fr. Toshio Sato, C.M., and Fr. Mike Walsh, C.M., will celebrate this Mass. The celebration will include live music and an investiture in the Miraculous Medal.
Special presentation planned
In addition to Sunday’s May Procession, the Association of the Miraculous Medal is sponsoring a special presentation, “The Logic of Being Catholic,” by Dr. Ray Guarendi at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at the National Shrine in Perryville. Dr. Ray is a Catholic father of 10, a clinical psychologist, author, professional speaker, and national radio and television host. His radio show, “The Doctor Is In,” can be heard on over 440 stations and SiriusXM® channel 130.
His EWTN television series, “Living Right With Dr. Ray,” airs in 142 countries. His compelling, humor-laced presentations provide practical advice and proven techniques.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is located 80 miles south of St. Louis, Missouri, on Interstate 55. To reach the Shrine, take the Perryville exit (No. 129) and head north toward Perryville on Highway 51. At the junction of State Road “T” (St. Joseph Street), turn left. After passing Vincentian Way, the Shrine's entrance is the third drive on the left, at 1805 W. St. Joseph Street. For more information, contact the Association of the Miraculous Medal at 1-800-264-6279.
