For Catholics worldwide, the Miraculous Medal stands as an enduring symbol of faith, hope, and the divine intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It's not just a piece of religious jewelry; it's an emblem of belief, a testament to miracles, and a tangible connection to the Mother of God.

The story of the Miraculous Medal unfolds against a backdrop of religious visions, reported miracles, and profound devotion, offering a remarkable narrative that has inspired millions of the faithful over nearly two centuries.

Origins and History

The Miraculous Medal has its origins in the apparitions of the Virgin Mary reported by Saint Catherine Labouré, a humble novice of the Daughters of Charity, in 1830, in Paris, France. The Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Catherine three times, presenting a vision of a medal that would become a symbol of faith for Catholics worldwide.

The front of the medal was to feature the Blessed Virgin standing on a globe, with rays of light streaming from her hands, surrounded by the words "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

The reverse would display a large "M" surmounted by a bar and a cross, beneath which were the Sacred Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns and the Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced with a sword, and around the edge, twelve stars.

Impressed by the authenticity of St. Catherine's visions, her spiritual director, Father Aladel, sought approval from the Church to strike the medal. The first medals were made in 1832, and their distribution coincided with a cholera epidemic that had hit Paris. Many who wore the medal reported miraculous cures, leading to the popular name "Miraculous Medal."

Miracles of the Miraculous Medal

Since its inception, numerous miracles have been attributed to Miraculous Medals. The first miracle was the reported healing of a young worker's broken arm in 1832. The worker, an acquaintance of St. Catherine, was advised to wear the medal and was miraculously healed.

Another famous miracle is the conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne, a Jewish banker who was vehemently anti-Catholic. After reluctantly agreeing to wear the medal and recite the Memorare prayer, he experienced a vision of the Virgin Mary that led him to convert to Catholicism and later become a priest.

Apparitions and the Miraculous Medal

The apparitions of the Virgin Mary to St. Catherine are deeply intertwined with the history and significance of the Miraculous Medal. The first apparition occurred in the chapel of the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity on Rue du Bac, Paris, on July 18, 1830. During the second and third apparitions, in November 1830, the Virgin Mary instructed St. Catherine to have the medal struck.

Since then, the Miraculous Medal has been one of the most popular religious medals in the world. These apparitions have been approved by the Church and are commemorated annually by the faithful, particularly at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris, which has become a popular pilgrimage site.

Wearing the Miraculous Medal

Many Catholics wear the Miraculous Medal as a sign of their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and as a request for her maternal protection and intercession. They believe that those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck, as instructed by the Virgin Mary in her apparition to St. Catherine.

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St. Catherine Labouré: Visionary of the Miraculous Medal

St. Catherine Labouré, a name renowned across the globe among Catholics, is revered as the humble nun who introduced the world to the Miraculous Medal. The Blessed Virgin Mary chose her as the instrument to spread this remarkable symbol of faith and devotion. Her life story, characterized by simplicity, obedience, and faith, serves as an inspiration to the faithful.

Catherine Labouré was born on May 2, 1806, in the small village of Fain-lès-Moutiers, in the Burgundy region of France. The ninth of eleven children, she lost her mother at a tender age of nine.

According to some accounts, upon her mother’s death, Catherine climbed onto a chair and tenderly embraced a statue of the Blessed Virgin, imploring, “Now, dear Blessed Mother, you will be my mother!” This encounter marked the beginning of a special relationship she would share with the Virgin Mary.

Vocation and Life as a Nun

Inspired by the dreams of St. Vincent de Paul, Catherine decided to dedicate her life to serving God. In 1830, at the age of 24, she was admitted to the Daughters of Charity in Paris, taking the religious name Sister Catherine.

Her life as a nun was not extraordinary. She was assigned to work in the hospice for elderly men, a job she carried out diligently and without complaint. She was known for her humility, often seeking the lowliest tasks. Despite her humility, her life was about to take a turn that would impact the world profoundly.

Apparitions of the Virgin Mary

In July of 1830, Catherine reported her first of three apparitions of the Virgin Mary. It occurred in the community’s motherhouse chapel on the Rue du Bac. During the second and third apparitions in November, Mary showed Catherine a vision of what would become known as the Miraculous Medal. She instructed Catherine to have a medal struck after this model, promising great graces to all who wore it.

Mary’s message to Catherine was one of urgency and dire warning. She spoke of future tribulations in France, entrusting Catherine with the mission to spread the devotion of the medal as a tool of faith and salvation.

The Miraculous Medal and the Spread of the Devotion

Although initially met with skepticism, Catherine’s confessor, Father Aladel, was eventually convinced of the authenticity of her visions. He obtained the Church’s permission to produce the medal in 1832.

The Miraculous Medal was disseminated quickly, largely due to the cholera epidemic that hit Paris shortly after the medals were made. Those who wore the medal and invoked Mary’s intercession reported numerous miracles, mainly inexplicable healings.

St. Catherine’s Later Life and Legacy

Following the apparitions, Catherine returned to her quiet life, her identity as the visionary of the Rue du Bac remaining a secret. She continued her work at the hospice, caring for the sick and the elderly, fulfilling her duties with simplicity and humility.

It was not until shortly before her death in 1876 that Catherine revealed herself as the nun who had received the visions of the Miraculous Medal. Upon her death, her body was found to be incorrupt and remains so to this day, on display at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris.

Humility and Faith

St. Catherine Labouré’s life is a powerful testament to humble obedience and unshakeable faith. Her story continues to inspire millions, while the Miraculous Medal, her most tangible legacy, remains a significant part of Catholic devotion, inviting all to experience the profound love and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

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The Meaning of the Miraculous Medal

from the Association of the Miraculous Medal

The Front

Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the head of a serpent beneath her foot. She stands upon the globe, as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her feet crush the serpent to proclaim Satan and all his followers are helpless before her (Gn 3:15). The year of 1830 on the Miraculous Medal is the year the Blessed Mother gave the design of the Miraculous Medal to Saint Catherine Labouré. The reference to Mary conceived without sin supports the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary—not to be confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, and referring to Mary’s sinlessness, “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28)—that was proclaimed 24 years later in 1854.

The Back the Medal

The twelve stars can refer to the Apostles, who represent the entire Church as it surrounds Mary. They also recall the vision of Saint John, writer of the Book of Revelation (12:1), in which “a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars.” The cross can symbolize Christ and our redemption, with the bar under the cross a sign of the earth. The “M” stands for Mary, and the interleaving of her initial and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus and our world. In this, we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as mother of the Church. The two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for us. (See also Lk 2:35).

 

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