Rome, February 11, 2005
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
To the Visitors of the Congregation of the Mission
Dear brothers,
May the grace and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ fill your hearts now and forever!
At a meeting of the International Coordinating Council of the Association of the Miraculous Medal, held in Paris, France, from 31 January to 2 February, I announced the appointment of a new International Coordinator for the Association. He is Fr. BenjamiÌn Romo, someone well known to all of us in the Vincentian Family, and presently the National Director for the Vincentian Family in Mexico. Fr. BenjamiÌn replaces Fr. Charles Shelby, who has served as the first International Coordinator for the past several years.
I take this opportunity to thank Fr. BenjamiÌn for accepting this position. I know that he will contribute well to the continued growth of the Association of the Miraculous Medal at the international level because of the wealth of experience that he brings to this as the former Delegate of the Superior General to the Vincentian Family.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing International Coordinator, Fr. Charles Shelby, for his years of service. I ask the Lord’s blessing too on Fr. Shelby as he continues to show his love for God in the new service that the Congregation of the Mission, Midwest Province USA, has assigned to him at DePaul University, Chicago. Certainly his experience of service and his love for the Blessed Mother have contributed tremendously to the growth of the AMM on the international level in recent years. His contributions, and those of his Coordinating Council, have led to the increased number of Associations around the world, the development of formation programs on the AMM website, and a new and deeper understanding of the role of the apostolate, service of the poor, in the Association of the Miraculous Medal.
The other members of the Coordinating Council, Fr. Janusz Zwolinski, Sr. Marie-Yonide Midi, and Miss Martha Tapia will continue in their roles as members of the International Coordinating Council until June 2006.
Fr. BenjamiÌn Romo assumed his responsibility as the International Coordinator during the meeting that was held in Paris. Fr. Charles Shelby will assist him in a supporting role as they make the transition from now and until the international meeting of the Association of the Miraculous Medal.
The second point that I would like to mention in this message to you is that, during the meeting in Paris of the International Coordinating Council, we planned the Second International Meeting of the AMM. The meeting will be held in Rome, from 24-28 October 2005, with arrival on 23 October and departure on 29 October. The Casa Maria Immacolata of the Daughters of Charity, on Via Ezio, will host the meeting.
By way of conclusion, I would just like to say that, in my new role as Director General of the Association of the Miraculous Medal, I found the first meeting of the International Coordinating Council to be a delightful experience, as well as an inspiring one. After having heard the reports of the different member associations throughout the world, I certainly see growth for the Association of the Miraculous Medal. This means a deepening love of our Blessed Lady, who leads us to a deeper faith commitment with her Son, Jesus Christ. It also means committing ourselves in a special way to the service of Jesus Christ, especially in our brothers and sisters, the poor. Fr. Charles Shelby, the former International Coordinator, will shortly send out a detailed report of the activities of the AMM. After that, the new International Coordinator, Fr. BenjamiÌn Romo, will send you information about the upcoming international meeting and other matters.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.
Your brother in St. Vincent,
G. Gregory Gay, C.M.
Superior General