feast day: November 27
about:
- French: Médaille miraculeuse
- also known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception
APPARITION:
--- The Miraculous Medal owes its origin to the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Chapel of the Rue du Bac, Paris in the year 1830. She appeared as the Immaculata to St. Catherine Laboure, a novice with the Daughters of Charity. On July 18, the Immaculate Virgin, seated in the same chapel, had spoken gentle words of encouragement to the young novice. On November 27, the Virgin Mother showed St. Catherine the design of a medal which would remind people of the love and protection that Our Lady continually offers to God's children.
MEANING OF THE MEDAL (Front Side):
--- Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the head of a serpent beneath her foot. She 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.
--- Here, we see a woman, the Mother of God, encircled by a short and famous prayer: "O Mary conceived without sin..." Being conceived without sin — the mystery of her Immaculate Conception — means that from the beginning this woman was full of grace.
Mary stands on a globe, the world. Around her feet a twisted serpent, the devil, struggles for mastery. It is a conflict between good and evil. Satan's is a world of darkness and disgrace; Mary's is a world of light and grace. But hers is the victory won by Christ—the light of the world. So we see the light and grace of Christ flowing from her hands; and those who choose grace rather than darkness turn to her for help: "pray for us who have recourse to thee."
MEANING OF THE MEDAL (Back Side):
--- large letter M with a cross above it = M is for Mary and Mother because she is indeed the Mother of God's people—a people founded on the twelve Apostles, signified by the twelve Apostles
--- twelve stars arranged around the rim = twelve Apostles
--- two hearts = Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. God's message for Mary was one of suffering "a sword will pierce your heart too"— just as the heart of her Son would be pierced by a soldier's lance. The showing of the two hearts in one grand alliance is a reminder of God's love for us. Mother and Son are united in the work of redemption as Christ offers himself on the cross and Mary stands compassionately at his feet, assenting in faith so that the world might be saved.
The medal, then, is a summary in itself of the Church's teaching on Our Lady—a mini-catechism of the faith for everyone.
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AN ACT OF CONSECRATION TO OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL source: http://www.ewtn.com/library/PRAYER/MMNOVENA.TXT
O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate,
we dedicate and consecrate ourselves to you
under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign of
your affection for us and a constant reminder of
our duties toward you. Ever while wearing it, may be
blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the
grace of your Son. O most powerful Virgin, Mother of
our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives.
Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death;
so that, in union with you, we may enjoy the
bliss of heaven forever. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have
recourse to you. (3 times)
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NOVENA OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDALsource: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/MiraculousMedal.htm
O Immaculate Virgin Mary,
Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother,
penetrated with the most lively confidence
in your all-powerful and never-failing intercession,
manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal,
we your loving and trustful children implore you to
obtain for us the graces and favors we ask during this novena,
if they be beneficial to our immortal souls,
and the souls for whom we pray.
(Here form your petition)
You know, O Mary, how often our souls have been
the sanctuaries of your Son who hates iniquity.
Obtain for us then a deep hatred of sin and that
purity of heart which will attach us to God alone
so that our every thought, word and deed
may tend to His greater glory.
Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self-denial
that we may recover by penance what we have lost
by sin and at length attain to that blessed abode
where you are the Queen of angels and of men.
Amen.
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MIRACULOUS MEDAL INVOCATION PRAYER
source: http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/MEDALMI.HTM
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us
who have recourse to you, and for all who
do not have recourse to you, especially the
enemies of the Church and those recommended to you.
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MEDITATION PRAYER WITH THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
source: http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/MEDALMI.HTM
Mary, this medal is a sign and a guarantee of your presence. You are present
because your power is present, your voice is present and your love is present.
Therefore, O wonderful Sinless Woman and our Mystical Mother, we call on you now
to fulfill your guarantee. Bring us the great graces you promised to those who
carry this medal, especially to those who wear it around their neck. Make us
perceive our presence now and always. Make us consciously experience your power,
your love and your guidance, that in their strength we may begin to share
in your perfect response to God and to each of his creatures, and join in your war
with the ancient Serpent. Help us utterly abandon our self-centered feelings and
preoccupations. Help us hear and understand you. Teach us to listen and learn.
Help us respond to you today and always;, that made one with you we might more
fully respond with the rest of the Church to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
participating in their life and unity.
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links/ sources:
- "Miraculous Medal - Apparition, Meaning of the Medal, Invocation Prayer, and Meditation" (source: EWTN):
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/MEDALMI.HTM
- "Miraculous Medal" (source: Catholic Encyclopedia):
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10115a.htm
- "Miraculous Medal" (source: Wikipedia):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miraculous_Medal
- "Miraculous Medal Story" (source: Association of the Miraculous Medal):
http://www.amm.org/AboutAMM/Miraculous%20Medal%20Story.aspx
- "The Miraculous Medal & the apparition of the Virgin Mary to St Catherine Laboure" (source: Miracles of the Church blog):
http://www.miraclesofthechurch.com/2010/11/miraculous-medal-apparition-of-virgin.html
