Basilica Shrine Renews Holy Door Tradition

On Jan. 29, the Basilica Shrine renewed a centuries-old Church tradition by blessing and symbolically sealing its Holy Door. More than 200 worshipers attended the noontime service, which began with the praying of the Perpetual Novena and concluded with the celebration of Holy Mass.



“Jesus says, ‘I am the gate. I am the door.’ And so, the Holy Door that we bless is really not just about the physical door. It reminds us that Jesus is our door,” said Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, who led the blessing and officiated Mass.

Lenten Events at the Basilica Shrine

Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading up to the holiest period on the Catholic calendar, the Sacred Paschal Triduum. Join us throughout the Lenten season as we offer a host of special services and activities to help us prepare for Easter.

Highlights include our new Vigil Mass each Saturday afternoon, Stations of the Cross each Friday, and Soup and Bread Reflections with Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, each Wednesday, when visitors contemplate the upcoming Sunday's Gospel reading over a light meal.

Lent 2024: Journey of the Heart

As we look forward to Ash Wednesday on Feb. 14, let us reflect with Fr. Aidan Rooney, CM, on the joy we receive through the sacrifices we make during the Lent and throughout our lives. This video first appeared in our 2022 Lenten video series, "Joy of Sacrifice." In the coming weeks, we hope you will tune in for our 2024 Lenten series, "Journey of the Heart," which will be available on our YouTube channel. Additional information about this series will soon be posted on our Facebook and Instagram pages and at MiraculousMedal.org.

Send Us Your Lenten Sackcloth And Bond With Mary

As you prepare for the Lenten season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, you are invited to join the Miraculous Medal Family in the ancient act of repentance, symbolized by Sackcloth.

Click this link to send us your Lenten prayer intentions and sign your Lenten Sackcloth, which will be placed upon Mary's Altar in the Basilica Shrine from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday.

Your signed Sackcloth will be your "symbol of contrition," showing your repentance, your faith, and your eternal bond with Mary. Please be sure to sign your Lenten Sackcloth before Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Perpetual Novena Livestreams Resume

The Basilica Shrine is pleased to announce that livestreams of our weekly Perpetual Novena have resumed. Each Monday at 12:05 p.m. (Eastern time, USA), the Perpetual Novena and Holy Mass are broadcast exclusively on our YouTube channel.

The Perpetual Novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is a timeless devotion to Our Blessed Mother instituted by Fr. Joseph A. Skelly, CM, at the Basilica Shrine on Dec. 8, 1930. Wherever you are in the world, we invite you to join us virtually each Monday to pray for Our Lady's intercession and thank her for blessings received while experiencing the beauty and tranquility of the Basilica Shrine and reflecting on the Gospel with the Vincentians of the Eastern Province, USA.

Enhance Your Lenten Prayer With Mary's Help

As we enter the most solemn time of the liturgical year, let us join with the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, in reflecting upon her Son’s ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

Our collection of third-class relics, touched to the chair where Mary appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré, will help us on our Lenten journey. Let us take comfort knowing that the Blessed Mother continues to keep all of our sorrows in her heart.