The Miraculous Medal

The Miraculous Medal

The History of the Medal

In April 1830 Catherine Laboure joined the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul, at their mother-house in the Rue du Bac in Paris. On the 27th of November 1830 Catherine saw a vision of the Blessed Virgin standing on a half-globe and holding a globe in her hands. From her hands rays shone down and Catherine heard a voice saying “These rays of light are the symbols of the graces that the Blessed Virgin obtains for those who ask them of her”. There were stars around her head, and around the figure of Our Lady were written the words “O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to you”. The entire “picture” then seemed to turn right around and on the back she saw the letter M, a cross, and the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Again a voice said to her: “A medal must be made on this model and those who carry one, when it is blessed, and say this short prayer with enjoy the special protection of the Mother of God”. She told no one about this except her priest, and he found this hard to believe. He later mentioned the matter to the Archbishop of Paris and the Archbishop told him to go ahead and have the medal made. The first medals were available in June 1831. By 1834, a large number of miraculous healings and conversions, worked by Our Lord through the intercession of his Immaculate Mother had taken place. Thus the medals became known as Miraculous Medals.

The Meaning of the Medal

The Front of the Medal: -

On the front of the medal Mary stands as, “The woman” of Genesis: “I will put enmity between you and the woman” (3:15), the new Eve, the Immaculate Conception, the perfect model for all women of her time. An open channel of life and love whose “yes” to the Father’s life and love brought his Son Jesus into this world through the Power of the Holy Spirit. She is aglow with the spirit of Jesus who is the Light of the world. Standing on the serpent, she proclaims the victory of Christ her Son over Satan. She lights the path of grace for those who choose to walk with Christ. She calls us to walk by her light and seek her help; “pray for us who have recourse to you”.

The Back of the Medal: -

At the back of the medal is the letter M underneath the cross, symbolising Mary at Calvary, as she stood beneath the cross of her son. It stands for Mary and also for Mother. She is the Mother of God’s Son who died on the cross as she stood and watched his heart opened with a lance, while a sword of sorrow pierced her own. Mary is the “Mother of the Church” which is made up of us, her children. At this moment as the heart of the risen Jesus burns with love for us so also does the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary knows what it is to suffer, so she understands what we feel when our heart is opened by pain or pierced by grief and loneliness. The Twelve Stars represent Jesus’ first twelve followers.

The Miraculous Medal is not a “lucky charm”. It is an icon of our Immaculate Mother, designed by herself and given to us. It teaches us about who Mary is and what she can do for her children. The wearing of the medal is a beautiful sign of Mary’s love for us and a powerful witness of our devotion to her.

Novena in Honour of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

A Prayer of Saint Louise

Most Holy Virgin
I believe and confess
Your holy and Immaculate Conception.
Pure and without sin,
Most pure Virgin,
Through you virginal purity,
Your Immaculate Conception,
Your privilege of being the Mother of God,
obtain for us from your Divine Son,
humility, charity, great purity of mind and body,
the gift of prayer, a holy life and a happy death.

Memorare

Remember O most compassionate Virgin Mary
That never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection,
Implored your assistance, or sought you intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you O Virgin of Virgins Our Mother.
To you we come, before you we kneel, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the word Incarnate, despise not our petitions but in your clemency hear and answer them.


Novena Prayer

O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
With confidence we come to implore your unfailing help.
Bearer of Life, Mother of Our Saviour, give birth in our hearts to Jesus your Son,
Who forgives our sins and brings healing to our lives.
Mother of the Church on earth, hear the cry of the lowly and the poor
Who hunger for Jesus the Bread of Life and in your loving wisdom make our prayer your own.

(Pause to make your needs known to our Immaculate Mother)

Virgin gentle in mercy,
Queen of the universe,
Cover us with the veil of your protection and deliver us from the darkness of evil.
Teach us by prayer and self control, the meaning of truth and the beauty of love that with minds that are healed, and hearts that are pure, we may come in the end to where you are the Queen of Angels and of Saints.
Amen.

An Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, at the message of an angel
You received the Word of God in your heart and in your womb and gave life to the world.
O Temple of the Living God,
Throne of the Eternal King,
Sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, we consecrate ourselves to you.
May your promise to Saint Catherine Laboure bring grace to us and peace to all who say,
O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to you.

Junior Legion of Mary :

• Are you in the 10 to 18 age group? If so would you like to share some of your time visiting and entertaining the elderly and lonely? If you are interested come along to St. Gerald's Parish Centre any Saturday at 4:00pm.
  For further details, please contact Marian at (094)-23548 or Paula at (094)-22750.
  
  

Church Stall

• The Legion of Mary has a Church Stall in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar. The Church Stall is situated at the left-hand rear entrance of the Church adjacent to the Car Park. Examples of items available for sale include Religious Papers and Magazines, Statues, Rosary Beads, Medals and Scapulars. If you are looking for a particular item that is not in stock, a member of the Legion will be happy to order it for you.
  
  The Church Stall is open at the following times: -
  
  • After the 10:00am Mass, Monday to Friday.
  • After the 7:30pm Mass on Monday night.
  • After the 7:30pm Mass on Saturday night.
  • After the 10:00am, 11:15am and 12:30pm Masses on Sunday.