27th November: The Miraculous Medal
The Blessed Virgin herself designed the Medal of the Immaculate Conception—popularly known as the Miraculous Medal! No wonder, then, that it wins such extraordinary graces for those who wear it and pray for Mary’s intercession and help.
The First Apparition
The story begins on the night of July 18-19, 1830. A child (perhaps her guardian angel) awakened Sister (now Saint) Catherine Labouré, a novice in the community of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, and summoned her to the chapel. There she met with the Virgin Mary and spoke with her for several hours. During the conversation, Mary said to her, “My child, I am going to give you a mission.”
The Second Apparition Mary gave her this mission in a vision during evening meditation on November 27, 1830. She saw Mary standing on what seemed to be half a globe and holding a golden globe in her hands as if offering it to heaven. On the globe was the word “France,” and our Lady explained that the globe represented the whole world, but especially France. The times were difficult in France, especially for the poor who were unemployed and often refugees from the many wars of the time. France was first to experience many of those troubles which ultimately reached other parts of the world and are even present today. Streaming from rings on Mary’s fingers as she held the globe were many rays of light. Mary explained that the rays symbolize the graces she obtains for those who ask for them. However, some of the gems on the rings were dark, and Mary explained that the rays and graces were available but did not come because no one had asked for them. The Third Apparition and the Miraculous Medal
The vision then changed to show our Lady standing on a globe with her arms now outstretched and with the dazzling rays of light still streaming from her fingers. Framing the figure was an inscription: O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Source
Comment
Share your stories about the graces you – or others – have received through wearing the Miraculous Medal. Miracles, great and small, granted via the Medal are of much interest. I’ve heard stories of people planting a Miraculous Medal in a house (garden, specifically) in the hope of being successful in purchasing or renting – and being successful! So, share your stories or ask questions – whatever. Let’s pay tribute to this wonderful sacramental. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee…
Comments (32)
I have had a devotion to the Miraculous Medal from my first day at primary school. This was an ordinary Catholic state school and it was serviced spiritually by the local church which was run by the Vincentian Fathers. They came to the school regularly and distributed the medals on blue strings. I have always worn that medal and all my family do too. As a fifteen year old I first visited the Rue du Bac and was overawed by it all. I subsequently visited the chapel on every visit to Paris, the last being last year. A wonderful, potent devotion!
I, too, have a great love for the Miraculous Medal and I have heard lots of stories of miracles from friends. The most astounding one is of a friend whose life was saved through the medal but in case he recognises himself I won’t give any details.
Re the blue comment, I know someone who planted a Miraculous Medal beside the For Sale sign of a house he wanted to buy and he got it! LOL!
I just read the news on the website about the Catholic MPs who want the Labour leadership/deputy leadership and are falling over themselves to say they are pro-abortion. I’d like to plant a medal in each of their pockets.
I wrote LOL because it was a coincidence about my friend and the editor’s example in the blue comment, I wasn’t making fun of the miracle. I have great faith in the power of the MM.
Nicky,
I have also heard stories of people planting the Miraculous Medals in the garden and being successful in buying the house concerned.
But, miracles do happen in other ways due to the Miraculous Medal, like this young boy who recovered from a head injury.
http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/mirmedal.htm
Theresa Rose, that’s a beautiful and very edifying link. Thanks for posting it 🙂
Well, I have a story with a difference about the Miraculous Medal.
I lost mine weeks ago and despite hunting high and low, I just cannot find it. If I find it before midnight, I’ll let you all know…
Having said that, a friend brought me one from the Rue du Bac a few weeks ago, but I’d still like to find my original – if for no other reason than to discover where it has been since disappearing! – so watch this space 😀
I’ve still not found my medal!
I have a devotion to the Miraculous Medal and I’ve read lots of miracle stories connected to it. I also love St Catherine Laboure for her amazing humility and sufferance. She had a lot to put up with in the convent as a result of being given so special a mission.
MM what did she have to put up with? Jealousy?
Helen,
It’s a while since I read her life but I think it was more just that she had at least one difficult Sister to put up with, working with her. I’m thinking that the community didn’t know she was a seer so I don’t think it would be jealousy. I just meant that I think it would only to be expected that she would have a lot of suffering (like the Fatima seers) on account of being given the grace of visions of Our Lady etc.
Better late than never! It’s been a busy day but I’ve finally found the time to post on this great thread subject before midnight.
My comment will be short but to the point. The miracles associated with the Miraculous Medal stand in their hundreds of thousands. There are books upon books relating these astounding events. I cannot count the number of petitions I’ve had answered through this devotion. Only today, I had no sooner finished a MM petition when the matter entrusted to Our Lady took a positive turn. It is so powerful a devotion requiring only a prayer to be repeated three times: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” I cannot recommend it highly enough for every occasion. And it’s a good short ejaculatory prayer than can be offered regularly just to honour Our Lady.
Athanasius,
That’s wonderful that you have had a prayer answered on this of all days, associated with the medal. How close is Our Blessed Mother to us.
Margaret Mary,
She is always close to us. All we have to do when praying to her is to fully understand just how close she is.
My grandfather died in January of this year after a very short battle with cancer. He hadn’t been to Mass or Confession for a long time and wasn’t keen on seeing a priest before he died. I placed a miraculous medal under his pillow at home and when he was taken into hospital, someone placed the medal in his hand. Despite being almost unconscious, due to a combination of cancer, bowel blockage, kidney failure and a high dosage of morphine, he clutched that Miraculous Medal tightly and wouldn’t leave it go for five days. It was only taken from him hand once he had died. He died after receiving Extreme Unction and the Rosary was prayed in his room each day until he died.
Petrus,
What a fabulous story. I’m sure God will reward you well for that action in placing the medal into his hands. Thank you for sharing that information with us – it is most edifying.
Petrus,
That is beautiful – I’m sure you are greatly consoled by the part played by the Miraculous Medal, with yourself as the humble (and totally, if not completely and utterly, unworthy 😀 ) instrument at the time of your grandfather’s death. Seriously, you should take much consolation from your grandfather’s response to the medal, which I am sure falls into the category of what we all pray for throughout our lives – the grace of a happy death.
Petrus,
Your story is one that comes up often in relation to the Miraculous Medal. Placed on or near a person who has resisted God’s grace, it literally works miracles of conversion, especially with the dying.
I should have said that he also had a Green Scapular in his hand too. The Green Scapular is also very powerful. It really was amazing to see him grip those symbols of Our Lady despite his weakened state.
Petrus,
That is a beautiful story! It is comforting and edifying to see, how we can never have too much confidence in Our Lady.
I remember, on reading about the apparitions of Our Lady to St. Catherine, being so impressed by the number of conversions brought about simply by placing the MM near a person.
Jobstears,
I shall shortly be in Edinburgh in the home and company of several people, fervent evangelicals and an apostate Catholic, for whose conversion I pray. Can you think of a cunning plan for using the Miraculous Medal in a way that won’t get me caught out? Believe me, being caught out would be decidedly counter-productive!
Margaret Mary,
I agree that Christina should slip a MM down the side of a sofa or chair without ever alerting the people concerned of the fact that it’s there. I would disagree as regards the Green Scapular, however. It’s easy to say that a medal fell out of a pocket or purse. But a Green Scapular? I think Christina would find that one hard to explain.
Christina,
Just saw your post! Have you been to Edinburgh already? I have pushed a MM into potted plants – where I’d hope it would rust away before being discovered! But slipping a medal under the cushions or down the side of the sofa, sounds like a good idea!
Good luck! 😀
The way things are going I`m half expecting someone to say they shoved a full set of The Stations of The Cross down the side of a sofa.
I hope I`m not giving anyone ideas.
Very good, Frankier!
That’s a great idea, Frankier, and maybe St. Benedict’s medal too!!!
Jobstears
It’s funny you should mention Sr Benedict’s medal. When I built my house I slipped a St Benedict medal into the internal brickwork.
If I remember correctly,you always got one when the St Joseph’s cord
was renewed.
Frankier,
I heard a story once (and I think it was on this blog, actually) about a priest who was assaulted verbally by a man during a pro-life witness event, and when the priest held up a St Benedict’s cross, the man completely changed and left him alone. Yet, he’s not a saint I ever think of really, shame on me.
Michaela,
I’m not surprised at your story! I know a college student who says whenever she carries her St. Benedict’s Crucifix, the troublesome class-mates whom she tries to avoid, avoid her! St. Benedict was a powerful exorcist. I know when the priest blessed religious articles for me, the blessing of the St, Benedict’s medal and crucifix, took twice as long as all the other articles combined!
Frankier,
Great minds think alike! I placed a MM and a St. Benedict’s medal into the foundation of the work being done on my house, too!
Where did you ever find St. Joseph’s cord? The only one I ever had, I had to make myself and get a priest to bless it!
JOBSTEARS
We used to get St Joseph`s cords when we joined the (I think) St Joseph`s Union. New cords were provided when the yearly subscription was paid. After it ended in this country I got the cords sent from America until it ended there too.
I used to have a St Benedict medal on the cord and when working on the construction sites in the summer people used to ask why I wore knotted string around my waist.
I remember also at that time the young Irish labourers digging the drains and foundations with their scapulars flying around their necks.
Those were the days when we were proud of our Catholic Faith.
Changed days indeed.
Frankier,
“The way things are going I`m half expecting someone to say they shoved a full set of The Stations of The Cross down the side of a sofa.”
LOL!
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