Discover the vibrant tapestry of cultures and traditions that unite us in faith through Our Lady’s many titles. The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal proudly honors the diverse cultural expressions of Catholic devotion to Mary. We welcome people from all backgrounds to celebrate Our Blessed Mother in ways distinctive to your heritage.
Mary’s story began as a first-century Jewish woman, her features and dress reflecting her time in Nazareth. Yet across the ages, Mary continually appears to people all over the globe, in ways that speak directly to each culture and heart. Her message and presence transcend time and place, revealing herself in the likeness of those she encounters.
What makes Mary so universally cherished? In every land and tradition, Mary seems to carry herself in a way that feels both familiar and special to each community. Sometimes, it seems she brings something extraordinary to every place she visits; sometimes, those places shape how we see and embrace her. Most likely, it’s both: Mary is shaped by our cultures even as she lovingly shapes us in return.
Through the centuries, theologians, artists, and the faithful have reflected on Mary’s many roles: mother, disciple, and intercessor. As Fr. Robert P. Maloney notes, each country treasures its own image of Mary; her universality brings people together.
Mary’s story is also deeply human. She knew hardship, sorrow, and uncertainty. In times of suffering, we turn to her seeking peace, comfort and her intercession because she is our model of grace.
Mary, Our Blessed Mother, unites us. Her care and compassion stretch endlessly across all cultures and nations. She pours into all of her children love, peace, hope, gratitude, and mercy.
In quiet strength and with maternal guidance, Mary leads us closer to her son, Jesus, Christ. Her many faces remind us that we are loved, cared for, and protected.
Beginning in 1981, Our Lady of Kibeho appeared to three schoolgirls in Rwanda with messages of repentance, prayer, and conversion. She called herself the “Mother of the Word” and urged people to turn back to God, warning that if her call was ignored, Rwanda would face great suffering.
Years later, Our Lady’s prophecy was seen as foreshadowing the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In 2001, the Catholic Church officially recognized the apparitions, making Kibeho the
only Vatican-approved Marian apparition site in Africa.
On Sunday, August 17, 2025, CAMM dedicated and blessed the Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine at The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. This newest Marian shrine is in St. Vincent’s Rosary Walk, an outdoor sacred space at the Basilica Shrine.
The Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine is a collaboration between CAMM and the Martin de Porres Foundation. The shrine is funded by a generous grant from donor Willa Stokes, a Black Catholic who lived close to the Basilica Shrine. The Foundation wanted to use the funds in a way that would celebrate and honor the importance of Black Catholic spirituality in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the universality of the Catholic Church in a permanent and visible way.
CAMM Spiritual Director and Basilica Shrine Rector Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, said, “The Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine will be an additional light shining to welcome pilgrims to the Basilica Shrine. The Our Lady of Kibeho Shrine will give people a place to see Our Blessed Mother as they see themselves. Furthermore, Our Lady feels the pain of all who come to her, and she invites us into her loving arms, so that we do not suffer
alone.”
In August 1879, Our Lady appeared with St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist on a gable wall of a a Catholic church. The apparition lasted for almost two hours, before 15 witnesses.
In May 2023, The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal dedicated St. Vincent’s Rosary Walk and the Shrine to Our Lady of Knock expanding the spiritual experience for members of Mary’s Miraculous Medal Family. The Rosary commemorates the greatest form of Marian prayer, the Rosary.
The centerpiece of the Walk is Our Lady of Knock Shrine, which now proudly honors the Irish community’s vital contributions to Germantown and the many neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
In 1531, Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego, a recent convert to the Catholic faith. As a sign of her apparition, Our Lady asked Juan to gather roses from the hillside and bring them to her.
It was an interesting request. The month was December, so the hill would normally be bare. But Juan found it covered with Castilian roses, which are not native to Mexico. He gathered them in his tilma (his cloak) and brought them to Mary. She rearranged them and told him to bring them to the bishop as proof that she was requesting a church be built on that spot.
He kept the roses within his cloak just as Mary had positioned them and, to his amazement, when he opened his tilma and the roses dropped to the floor, a life-size image of the Blessed Mother was on his cloak. That image is still intact, 490 years later.
You can see an original oil painting of this image by Jose Gerardo Rico and commissioned by the Hispanic and Latino community, when you come to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. This shrine also includes a wall of roses, which bear the names of loved ones engraved on 5”, 4”, and 3” plaques. Plaques can be purchased through our gift shop.
In the 16th or 17th centuries, Our Lady appeared twice in the small town of Vailankanni, India. In both instances, miracles were performed.
The first apparition occurred when a young boy was delivering milk. While traveling to his destination, he was asked by a mother to share his milk with her child. He did, and when he arrived at his destination, he discovered he had a full supply of milk.
In the second apparition, a lame boy selling buttermilk was asked by a woman holding a child if he would share his milk, which he did. The woman then asked him to instruct others to build a chapel in Vailankanni. Church tradition relates that the boy was no longer lame after this encounter.
Devotees are welcome to come to The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal where a tribute altar is located in the Lower Shrine.
The local Indian community also holds an annual Mass and celebration on the feast day of Our Lady of Vailankanni in September.
When Spanish missionaries came to Florida, they built a chapel to Our Lady of the Milk and Good Delivery—the first shrine consecrated to Mary in what would become the United States.
Through the remarkable generosity of Gail and Dale Whittenberger, this devotion has found a home at The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
The Our Lady of La Leche Shrine is an exquisite portrayal of Our Lady of La Leche, painted by Mary Roth, Gail and Dale’s loving daughter-in-law. Their dedication to Our Lady of the Milk celebrates the gift of their own children and grandchildren and was created in thanksgiving for answered prayers for family, fertility, and life.
In the Filipino community, FIAT has a dual meaning. According to Catholic teaching, it represents Mary accepting her role as the Mother of Jesus. It is also an acronym for Filipinos in America Today.
The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal collaborated with the Filipino community to construct a statue dedicated to Our Lady according to their cultural devotion. The beautiful shrine is adorned with elements of the culture and customs of the Philippines. It includes attire handcrafted in the Philippines consisting of translucent Capiz shells and pineapple fibers.
Our Lady of FIAT Shrine is located in the Lower Shrine of the Basilica Shrine and foster community, cultural identity, and spiritual solidarity among Filipinos in America, while also welcoming others: a blending of cultural devotion and universal Marian spirituality.
Enter keywords or a phrase to search the CAMM website.
"*" indicates required fields
We respect your privacy. Your email will only be used to send you the inSPIRED newsletter.
