Vincentian Bishop and the Miraculous Medal … Personal and Practical
Getting personal
Bishop David O’Connell, CM of the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission, said .”
I am going to get a bit personal here.
Each morning before I get out of bed I do two things: I put on my plastic leg where a real leg used to be so that I can stand and walk another day; and I place a Miraculous Medal around my neck so that I can stand and face another day, conscious of our Mother’s words, “do whatever he tells you.” And I pray these familiar words from the Novena prayers:
“May this Medal be for us a sure sign of your affection for us and a constant reminder of our duties toward you. Ever while wearing it may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son.”He said this in the context of closing the 2018 Solemn Novena at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Germantown, PS.
His words in context
He had just reminded us to bring our daily needs to Mary and turn to her.
The Wedding Feast of Cana is a symbol of our lives. There are times when the wine runs out — we confront ourselves, our needs, our pain; we face loneliness, loss of loved ones, unemployment; we encounter abuse, doubt in our Church and its leadership, our children’s loss of faith or our own; addiction in our families, broken marriages, broken homes; sickness, disabilities, aging and its consequences; racism, crime, attachment to sin. We find our crosses. We come to the wedding only to discover they have no wine to bring us joy and peace. What do we do?
We turn to Mary and she offers us her Son through her Miraculous Medal and she whispers to us: “Come to the foot of the altar” …. “Do whatever he tells you.” He and he alone can turn the water of our tears into the wine of Christ’s comfort and consolation and patience and peace.
He concludes with this practical advice…
As you continue to wear the Miraculous Medal, as you continue to seek Mary’s intercession and loving protection to be preserved in the grace of her Son, always remember and live by her words: “Do whatever he tells you” and let the Lord Jesus turn your water into his wine!
Link to full text in Trenton Monitor and video (beginning around the 23 minute mark.)
See other stories about Bishop O’Connell including his turn at “Carpool Karaoke”!
I’m the cousin of the late Rev. Fr. Frederic P. Gehring C.M. His sister, Marietta, taught me at St. Jon’s school, in the late 1940s. Father Gehring wrote a book, “A Child of Miracles: The Story of Patsy Li.
We want to communicate with his family regarding the possibility of doing a movie or TV series about his experiences in the Asia during WWII.
Please contact me. Phone (727) 510-6664
Dear Bishop David O’Connell,
I never take off my Miraculous Medal even when I sleep. Blessed Mother’s protection is so important to me. Every morning, I consecrate myself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary an the Sacred Heart of Jesus always by kissing my Miraculous Medal and praying before I have my breakfast. Fr. Alfred Pehrsson, C.M, taught me how to do that prayerful exercise many years ago when he was Pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Emmitsburg, MD. I was with my prayer brother, Paul Scheurich, cousin of Fr. William Slattery, C.M. Superior General Emeritus of the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Paul and I established a House of Prayer here since 1996. Unfortunately, Paul entered into eternal life at the end of January, 2018.
God bless you,
Thomas
Bishop O’Connell,
You inspire me!
Gratefully,
Ed Ambrose,St. Joe’s,AA,1957