An Unexpected Letter
An Unexpected Letter
It was most unusual.
Margaret Gardner (pictured) came home from school and found an envelope from a priest addressed to her. As an eighth grader, she rarely received letters from anyone, much less from “a man of the cloth.” So, what was in this unexpected letter?
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BLESSED SURPRISE
No one could figure out how the priest, Fr. Joseph A. Skelly, CM, got her name and address. Yet one day, Margaret received an unexpected letter from Fr. Skelly telling her about the Miraculous Medal and becoming a “promoter.” Margaret was intrigued and discovered about being a promoter with The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
To become a promoter, Margaret would enroll eight people as members of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal. She immediately enrolled her grandparents, parents, and brothers. As a promoter, she received a Miraculous Medal, membership card, and Miraculous Medal pamphlet to distribute to her enrollees. And, to her delight, she received a special Miraculous Medal with the word “promoter” on it. It’s one of her most cherished possessions.
JUST THE BEGINNING
For many people, the story would end there. But for Margaret, this was just the beginning. She saved her money and enrolled more relatives and friends. She continues enrolling people every year since.
SHARING WITH ALL
Once married and with children, she enrolled her family. As a teacher, she included many of her students. As she developed new friendships or heard of the plight of coworkers, she added them to the list. And her enthusiasm was contagious. Three of her friends became promoters. To date, Margaret has enrolled more than 100 people.
HOLY COMPANIONS
Margaret has received tremendous blessings during her 60 years as a promoter. She writes:
“The Miraculous Medal and the Novena prayers have been my companion on my life’s journey. From praying for a good husband, then children, then grandchildren, I have prayed the Novena and rejoiced in the miracles.
“I have also watched loved ones suffer and die, and feel sorrow and grief.
“And Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal has gotten me through the thousands of life experiences in between. I have learned peace and acceptance.”
Margaret still wears the original promoter medal she received from Fr. Skelly in 1961. As she beautifully states, it’s been a constant in her life from her youth. Through her years of devotion to Mary, Margaret has seen that Mary has been devoted to her, too.