By Cristina Cabrera Jarro -
Photographer: CRISTINA CABRERA JARRO| FC
Members of the Ladies of Charity, a lay association of volunteers founded by St. Vincent de Paul, pray during a Mass at St. Mary Cathedral on Aug. 14, 2021 honoring 50 years since the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul arrived in Miami.
MIAMI | Almost 1 million: That’s how many prayers cards and Miraculous Medals the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, along with various churches and ministries throughout the Archdiocese of Miami, are in the process of distributing.
The prayer cards and medals were donations from Germany.
“We are working with other ministries and individuals who love the Virgin, so that we can help spread her message,” said Paulina Velez, president of the Ladies of Charity, a lay group who work alongside the Daughters of Charity.
The prayer cards accompanying the medals briefly tell of the Virgin Mary’s request to St. Catherine Laboure, a Daughter of Charity, on Nov. 27, 1830: “Have a medal made according to this model. Those who carry it with confidence will receive infinite graces.” On the other side of the card, a prayer reads: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
In 1918, millions of medals were distributed during the Spanish flu pandemic with the hope that the Virgin Mary would intercede.
“Now, in the time of the pandemic, we know that [Mary] has something prepared,” said Velez. “We have had many testimonies, people have gotten emotional... It is such a beautiful symbol. That is how the Virgin is, and she definitely wants to be in Miami.”
Those interested in receiving the Miraculous Medal can call the Ladies of Charity at 305-261-3127, or 786-599-4109, or email [email protected].
