The Miraculous Medal is a very popular devotion, with many wearing the medal around their necks. But, where did it come from?
Visions of Our Lady
St. Catherine Laboure was a Daughter of Charity in Paris in the 19th century. In the Daughters’ Motherhouse, St. Catherine had visions of Our Lady in the chapel. She saw Mary holding a golden globe and on the globe, was written the word, “France”. Mary said the word represented France, but also the rest of the world. Rays of light were coming from Our Lady’s fingers (the Seton Shrine basilica pictures this and it is beautiful!). Those rays represented graces, but graces that are given when people ask for them.
St. Catherine had another vision of Our Lady standing on a globe with her arms open, and rays of light coming from her hands. Around Our Lady was written, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee”.
St. Catherine had another vision that showed an “M” with a cross and a bar, and below it the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Twelve stars surrounded the “M”.
Making the Medal
Our Lady asked St. Catherine to have these visions made into a medal, the first vision on the front, and the second on the back. Those who would wear the medal around their neck would receive “great graces”.
The Church approved of St. Catherine’s visions and Miraculous Medals were first made in 1832. So many graces were documented very soon after the medals were made. Devotion almost immediately spread and grew, and many began calling this medal, the “Miraculous Medal“. There are still countless testimonies of miracles attributed to these “graces” Mary promised.
Who would have a devotion to the Miraculous Medal?
- Anyone and everyone!
- Daughters of Charity
- The French
- Those seeking a miracle
Get our new and unique Miraculous Medal in our shop! Read more about the Miraculous Medal here.
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