Archbishop Robert J. Carlson and Bishop Edward M. Rice of the Diocese of Springfield/Cape Girardeau will help celebrate two important anniversaries on Sunday, Oct. 14, at Saint Mary’s of the Barrens in Perryville. The anniversary Mass will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Vincentian ministry in Perryville and the 100th anniversary of the Association of the Miraculous Medal.

At the invitation of Bishop William DuBourg, a small group of Congregation of the Mission priests settled in 1818 at the Barrens Settlement (later renamed Perryville). By 1822, a seminary to educate future Vincentian priests was established. Then, in 1918, the Association of the Miraculous Medal was founded to help spread devotion to Jesus through Mary. Today, the Association serves nearly 260,000 members in 35 countries worldwide, and the former seminary campus is home to the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.