Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

November 27 is the feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. I dropped by the national shrine this evening   to visit our Lady at San Marcelino street in Manila just to say a little prayer and to thank her for her mediation and for bestowing me graces from her Son.

The veneration of the Miraculous Medal started in France when the a nun heard a voice of a child calling her to the chapel of the Daughters of Charity on Rue de Bac in Paris. Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal appeared to St. Catherine of Laboure and charged her with a mission: to create a medal exactly the way she appeared to St. Catherine and those who wore the medal would receive great graces. St. Catherine reported the apparitions to her spiritual director who then told the archbishop whilst keeping her identity a secret. The request was granted and the medals were made and spread worldwide.

The medal has the image of our Lady with rays emanating from her fingers covering the globe and the words " O Mary conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee." On the obverse side ae twelve stars with a large letter M and a cross surmounting it. The lower portion has the Twin hearts of Jesus and Mary. this was the exact image St. Catherine Laboure saw and reported. The year 1830 appears at the bottom. 

Below is the prayer for the Miraculous Medal reprinted from the website www.catholicdoors.com. The chapel is still located in Rue de Bac until the present. The uncorrupt remains of St. Catherine of Laboure and St. Louise de Marillac (co-founder of the order of the Daughters of Charity) are encased in glass coffins in the chapel  for the devout pilgrims to view. 

Prayer to Our Lady of The Miraculous Medal

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 Savior, 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. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.