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The Miraculous Medal was originally known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. The medal is now known throughout the world as the ‘Miraculous Medal’ because it was designed by the Mother of God Herself to a daughter of Christ, Sister Catherine Laboure of the Daughters of Charity in France, 1830.
At the Convent of the Daughters of Charity in Rue due Bac, Paris is the site of the Miraculous Medal or the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. It is behind the walls of the Convent in 1830 that the Blessed Virgin Mary showed Sister Catherine Laboure the prototype of the medal that would become famous all over the world with millions being worn and distributed. The medal features the Mother of Jesus and many other symbols including a prayer that has promises attached to it.
The 19th Century was a trying time for the Catholic world. France had just come out of or suffering the residue of the French Revolution; in Italy Pope Pius IX had to flee Rome as the war for the Papal states was taking place; the ‘Origin of Species’ by Charles Darwin was published and many ideologies were being bandied around including Marxism, Socialism and they would lead to Communism in the 20th Century.
A Heavenly reminder that God is in control was to take place throughout the 19th and the early part of the 20th Century.
Did Heaven establish the devotion to the Immaculate Conception?
God was establishing a devotion for all humanity and the theme was very clear. In 1830, the Medal of the Immaculate Conception was miraculously revealed and requested by the Blessed Mother to Sister Catherine Laboure.
Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1854 declared the infallible Dogma of the Immaculate Conception through hi Papal Bull (Decree) titled ‘Ineffabilis Deus’ (meaning Ineffable God in Latin). Ineffabilis Deus, 1854, it
The document stated that Mary, through God’s grace, was conceived free from the stain of original sin through Her role as the Mother of God.
“We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful.”
In the cave at Massabielle, Lourdes France, the Blessed Mother appeared eighteen times to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
On March 25, 1858 the Lady revealed Her idientity to Bernadette. Bernadette recounts the following:
“She extended her arms towards the ground, then joined them as though in prayer and said
“Que soy era Immaculada Concepciou”.
Which translates to “I am the Immaculate Conception”.
It is in direct response to Blessed Pope Pius IX and a continuation of the Medal of the Immaculate Conception.
Enter the 20th Century at Fatima Portugal 1917 and subsequently in 1925, Jesus asked for the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
What is the history of the Miraculous Medal or Medal of the Immaculate Conception?
Could a Medal be constructed from the very hands of the Blessed Mother and Queen of Heaven?
The answer to such a question is a resounding “YES”.
The widely used medal known as the “Miraculous Medal” or the ‘Medal of the Immaculate Conception” has its origin from a vision to a bride of Christ, St Catherine Laboure.
Sister Catherine, a French nun who belonged to the Daughters of Charity, based at Rue Due Bac, Paris in France. The Daughters of Charity are dedicated to the Corporal and Spiritual works of mercy.
The Order was founded by St Vincent de Paul and St Louise de Marillac in 1633.
Who is Zoe Laboure?
Catherine Laboure was baptized Zoe. She was born to Pierre Laboure (a farmer) and Madeleine Louise Gontard on May 2, 1806.
Catherine’s mother died while she was only nine years of age on October 9, 1815.
Catherine and her sister Marie Antoinette were looked after by her aunty (Father’s sister).
It was whilst she was at Saint-Remy that Catherine was visited by a Priest in her name, who would later be identified as St Vincent de Paul.
He said to her:
“My daughter, it is good to care for the sick. For now, you flee from me, but one day you will be glad to approach me. God has plans for you. Don’t forget it!’.
Three years later at the age of twelve, she returned to her father’s farm and assisted in the care of the family.
She was sent to Paris to work in her father’s brother’s eatery and to remove any thoughts of a religious life.
Whilst she was there, she observed the poor and their suffering and Catherine made the decision to enter the Order of St Vincent de Paul, the Daughters of Charity.
The fulfilment of the visiting priest in her dreams earlier had been realised.
Catherine took her vows on January 30,1831.
She joined the novitiate on April 21, 1830, at the Covent of the Daughters of Charity located at rue du Bac Paris.
On May 1, 1835, Sister Catherine Laboure took the vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability.
In 1838, bother Catherine’s father and brother passed into eternal life.
St Catherine passed into her eternal reward on December 31, 1876 at the age of 70.
Pope Pius XI declared Catherine Laboure blessed (beatified) on May 28, 1933.
Pope Pius XII declared Catherine Laboure a saint (canonised) on July 27, 1947.
St Catherine’s feast day is November 28, and her incorrupt body can be venerated at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, rue du Bac Paris France.
When did the Miraculous Medal first appear?
It was during Catherine Laboure’s novitiate year in 1830 that the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary took place behind the convent walls.
In that same year, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St Catherine Laboure the date was November 27, 1830, and on several other occasions.
The First Apparition on July 19, 1830
The first apparition events are described as follows.
On the night of July 19, 1830.
Catherine was awakened from her sleep by a beautiful child. The child spoke,
“Sister Labouré, come to the chapel. The Blessed Virgin awaits you.”
Catherine entered the chapel, knelt at the communion rail, and prayed.
A short while later, the Blessed Virgin appeared and sat down on the superior’s chair.
Sister Catherine Laboure threw herself at Mary’s knee and rested her hands on the Blessed Mother’s lap.
Then Our Lady spoke to Sister Catherine:
“God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will have the protection of God and St. Vincent (de Paul). I will always have my eyes upon you.”
The Blessed Virgin Mary revealed to Sister Catherine prophecies about the world and sorrowful times that will befall France and the miseries that will come upon the rest of the world.
The encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary would be one of sadness.
Sister Catherine Laboure would realise that the beautiful child was her guardian angel.
Then, the Blessed Virgin departed.
The Second Apparition occurred on November 27, 1830
On November 27, 1830, Catherine reported that the Blessed Mother returned to her during evening meditations.
It is during this apparition that the Miraculous Medal was revealed to Sister Catherine Laboure.
“Mary stretch her arms out wide. She had a look of compassion on Her eyes, and rays of light poured out of Her fingers upon the globe under Her feet. …
Instantly, an oval frame appeared, surrounding the Blessed Mother.
The words appeared around the oval with the inscription:
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Our Lady spoke to Sister Catherine:
“Have a medal struck after this model. All who wear it will receive great graces; they should wear it around the neck. Graces will abound for persons who wear it with confidence.”
As Catherine watched, the frame seemed to rotate, showing a circle of twelve stars, a large letter M surmounted by a cross, and the stylized Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary underneath.
Catherine asked Our Lady as to why some of the rays of light did not reach the Earth, Mary replied:
“Those are the graces for which people forget to ask.”
The Blessed Virgin told Catherine,
“Those who repeat this prayer with great devotion will be in a special manner under the protection of the Mother of God.”
When was the Miraculous Medal (Medal of the Immaculate Conception) approved?
The Medal of the Immaculate Conception
After a thorough investigation as to the authenticity of St. Catherine’s visions, the Church approved the making of The Medal of the Immaculate Conception.
The first two thousand medals from an order of twenty thousand were distributed on June 20, 1832.
What do the Miraculous Medal images and symbols mean?
The Miraculous Medal symbols
The Back of the Medal
The Cross symbolizes Christ.
The letter “M” stands for Mary, who stood beneath the Cross, as her Son was crucified.
Two hearts represent the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The twelve stars recall the vision of St. John from the Apocalypse:
“And 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 twelve stars” (Apocalypse 12:1).
Front of the Medal
The Blessed Mother with open arms shows the recourse we have in Her.
The words and prayer reminding all of Her Immaculate Conception – free from the stain of original Sin and all sin.
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Mary stands on the globe shows Her Assumption into Heaven.
The Rays from Her hands show that She is the Mediatrix of all Graces.
Standing on the Serpent, She crushes the head of the Serpent as found in the Book of Genesis 3:15.
What are the promised of the Miraculous Medal?
Remember Our Lady’s Promises:
“Those who repeat this prayer with great devotion will be in a special manner under the protection of the Mother of God.”
“All those who wear it (the medal of the Immaculate Conception), when it is blessed, will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.”
I hope you will wear the medal with devotion and love for the Blessed Mother who is forever asking Her children in many ways to come to Her Son through Her Loving Heart.
As we pray:
“O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.”
Recommend readings:
The book by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle titled, “The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers, and Devotions” covers the life of Saint Catherine Laboure, the apparitions at the Convent at rue du Bac Paris, stories of miraculous conversion and healing and devotions to the Miraculous Medal.
Are there any Miraculous events attributed to the Miraculous Medal?
There are many to speak of, however I will relay one of conversion.
Claude Newman (1943)
This is the story of Claude Newman who was on death row for shooting his grandmothers abuser.
Claude noticed that a fellow inmate was wearing a Miraculous Medal around his neck. Upon inquiry as to what he was wearing, the inmate threw the medal at Claude.
Wearing the discarded Miraculous Medal the Blessed Mother appeared to Claude and invited him to be Her son and that He should call for a Priest.
Claude did just that and was Baptised in 1944 and had confessed all his sins, along with four other prisoners that he had inspired. Claude Newman’s conversion came four days before his execution.
Later, a prisoner, who Claude had prayed for his conversion was in the same execution chair. Through Claude’s intercession, the prisoner’s anger turned to fear and was shown a vision of Hell and he repented and had his confession heard by a priest before his execution.
The Miraculous Medal is powerful and should be worn with great devotion.
God be with you.
