Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

The miraculous medal or the Medal of the Immaculate Conception was designed by Our Holy Mother. It is no surprise then, it obtains such graces to those who wear it with faith and implore her help.

 First Apparition

The first apparition began on the night of July 18-19, 1830. A child (her guardian angel?) awakened Sister Catherine Labouré, who was then a novice in her community, the Daughters of Charity (spiritual daughters of St. Vincent de Paul) in Paris, France and invited her to come to the chapel. The Virgin Mary was there to meet her.  This meeting lasted several hours. Catherine knelt beside the Blessed Mother and rested her hands in the Virgin’s lap. During the conversation Mary said to her, “My child God wishes to charge you with a mission.”

 Second Apparition

The mission given to Catherine by Our Lady came to her in a vision during evening meditation on November 27, 1830. She saw Mary standing on what seemed to be half a globe. Our Lady was holding a golden globe in her hands and offering it up to heaven.  Mary explained that the globe represented the whole world. On Mary’s fingers were many rings from which streamed rays of light. Our Lady explained to St. Catherine that the rays of light are graces she obtains for those who ask of her for them. However, some of the gems on the rings were not illuminated but dark.  Our Lady explained that the rays, which symbolized graces, were available for the asking, but that no one was asking for them.

Third Apparition – the Miraculous Medal is Given

While Catherine looked on, the vision changed.  It showed Our Lady standing on a globe with her arms stretched out in a downward manner and dazzling rays of light streaming from her fingers.  Her figure was surrounded by an inscription which read: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

The vision turned.  The design on the reverse side of the medal appeared.  It showed a large “M” surmounted by a Cross and surrounded by Twelve Stars.  Below the M were two hearts with flames arising from them. One heart is encircled in thorns (symbolizing the Sacred Heart of Jesus) and the other is pierced by a sword (symbolizing Mary’s Immaculate Heart).

Our Lady asked Catherine Labouré to have a medal made from the design shown to her in the vision.  She also promised many graces to those who wear it with faith.  Catherine recounted the apparitions to her confessor, and through him was able to carry out Mary’s instructions.  The first medals were made in 1832.  No one knew she was the one to whom the Medal was entrusted, until shortly before her death several decades later.

The incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure in France

Catherine’s body was exhumed in 1933 for the process of canonization. It was found as fresh as the day it was buried. She had lived seventy years and had been in the grave for fifty-seven years, her eyes remained blue and beautiful.  Even her limbs, arms and legs, were as flexible as if she were asleep.  She can now be seen encased in glass beneath the side altar where our Lady appeared to her at 140 Rue du Bac, Paris.  One can still gaze upon the face that for forty-six years kept a secret which brought so many graces to so many people far and wide.

Front Side of the Miraculous MedalAnd its MeaningMary stands upon the globe, as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. She crushes the head of the serpent to proclaim Satan and all his followers are helpless before her. (Gn 3:15) The reference to Mary conceived without sin supports the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary that was proclaimed 24 years later in 1854 and refers to Mary’s sinlessness, “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28)

Reverse Side of the Miraculous Medal And its Meaning On the reverse side of the medal, The Cross represents Christ.  The “M” which is intertwined below it, represents Mary at the foot of His Cross sharing in the sufferings of Our Lord. In this we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as mother of the Church. The twelve stars 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 two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for us. (See also Lk 2:35).   Jesus heart is surrounded with thorns; Our Lady’s heart is pierced by a sword, as prophesied by Simeon when Jesus was presented at the temple.