The Miraculous Medal

(Sharing at the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on 16 Mar 2013)

•    The Year of Faith is a command to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Saviour of the world (Benedict XVI, 2011, Porta Fidei, #6).

•    We, the Church, have the mission to faithfully proclaim the mystery of our Lord until it is finally manifested in full light.

•    The call to conversion is not new. The mystery of our salvation has been filled with God’s seeking out mankind who often strayed, calling him to return to the Creator in heart and mind.

The Miraculous Medal

•    The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Sister Catherine (Zoe Labore) three times in 1830 at the Mother House of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul in Paris. On the second occasion, 27 November 1830, Sister Catherine records that the Blessed Virgin appeared as if standing on a globe, and bearing a globe in her hands. As if from rings set with precious stones dazzling rays of light were emitted from her fingers. These, she said, were symbols of the graces which would be bestowed on all who asked for them. 

•    Around the figure appeared an oval frame bearing in golden letters the words "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee"; on the back appeared the letter M, surmounted by a cross, with a crossbar beneath it and, under all, the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the former surrounded by a crown of thorns, and the latter pierced by a sword. (Catholic Tradition webpage, n.d.)

•    In the image of Her Immaculate Heart pierced by a sword, we see the heart of the Blessed Virgin stabbed for all of those who have lived – and died – by the sword, and by sin. 

•    Jesus said, “Put your sword back, for all who have lived by the sword, die by the sword.” (Mt 26:52)

•    At the second and third of these visions a command was given to have a medal struck after the model revealed, and a promise of great graces was made to those who wear it when blessed. After careful investigation, M. Aladel, the spiritual director of Sister Catherine, obtained the approval of Mgr. de Quelen, Archbishop of Paris. Sister Catherine Laboure was canonized by Pope Pius XII on 27 November 1947. (Catholic Tradition webpage, n.d.)

•    The Miraculous Medal is a sacramental, a physical manifestation of the gift of grace that perpetually exudes from Our Lady. It was originally called the Medal of the Immaculate Conception but because so many miracles were reported by those wearing it, the sacramental became known as the Miraculous Medal. (Catholic Tradition webpage, n.d.)

•    Marie-Alphonsus Ratisbonne, who had resisted the calling to the Church, wore the medal and prayed a simple prayer to Mary out of respect for his friend. Our Lady appeared to him and brought about his conversion. He later became a priest and, together with his converted priest brother, founded the Institute of Our Lady of Sion. The Pope inaugurated the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on 27 November.

•    In this Year of Faith, let us like trustful children place our faith in our Blessed Mother’s guidance to prayer, sacrifice and penance so that we, too, would be conveying to the world the mystery of our Lord. Then, we would have fulfilled the command of the Holy Father for this grace-filled Year. 

•    Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we unite ourselves to you under your title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

May this medal be for each one of us a sure sign of your motherly affection for us and a constant reminder of our filial duties towards you.

While wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son.

Most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Saviour, keep us close to you every moment of our lives so that like you, we may live and act according to the teaching and example of your Son.

Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death so that in union with you we may enjoy the happiness of heaven forever. Amen.

References:

•    Benedict XVI. (11 October 2011). Porta Fidei.

•    Catholic Tradition webpage. (n.d.). The Miraculous Medal. Retrieved from http://www.catholictradition.org/Mary/miraculous-medal.htm