Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, apparitions in Paris

On the night of July 18, 1830, Our Lady appeared for the first time to the young nun Catherine Labouré at the Mother House of the Daughters of Charity on Rue du Bac, Paris. According to Catherine, Saint Mary told her that God wished to entrust her with a mission and that she would face difficulties, but that she would receive the necessary grace. She also spoke to her of difficult times for France and for the Church, inviting her to pray and trust in divine protection.

In the second apparition, on November 27, 1830, Catherine saw the Virgin Mary standing on a globe, with rays of light coming from her hands. Mary explained that these rays symbolized the graces that God wanted to pour out on those who asked for them. It was then that she asked for a medal to be struck, later known as the Miraculous Medal, with the inscription: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”.

In a third vision, Saint Catherine contemplated the reverse side of the medal, where she saw the letter “M” intertwined with a cross and two hearts: the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. According to the saint's account, the Virgin expressed her desire that those who wore this medal would receive abundant graces and special protection. The central message was an invitation to trust, to persevere in prayer, and to welcome God's graces through the Virgin Mary.

Devotion to the Miraculous Medal, widespread

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is located in Paris itself, and numerous saints and blessed individuals are known to have worn the Miraculous Medal of Mary and to have visited it. Among others, we can mention Saints John Vianney, the Curé d'Ars, John Gabriel Perboyre, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, Bernadette Soubirous, and Gianna Beretta Molla. Also John Henry Newman, Thérèse of Lisieux, Maximilian Kolbe, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Josemaría Escrivá, Padre Pio, the Paulists, John Paul II, José Brochero, and others.

Tomorrow, November 28, the Church liturgy celebrates Saint Catherine Labouré.