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Miraculous

MIRACULOUS    MEDAL

Front Side of the Miraculous Medal

 

Mary 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.

 

  Back Side of the Miraculous 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).

 

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.

 

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The First Apparition

 

The story begins on the night of July 18-19, 1830.

 

A child (perhaps her guardian angel) awakened

Sr 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,

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“My child, I am going to give you a mission.”

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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.    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.

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The vision turned and showed the design of the reverse side of the medal.

Twelve stars encircled a large "M" from which arose a cross.  Below are two

hearts with flames arising from them.  Thorns encircle one heart and a sword

pierces the other.

 

Then Mary spoke to Catherine:

 

“Have a medal struck upon this model.  Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.”

 

Catherine explained the entire series of apparitions to her confessor, and she

worked through him to carry out Mary’s instructions.   She did not reveal that

she received the Medal until soon before her death 46 years later.

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