miraculous medal

The Miraculous Medal

One of the most common medals used by Catholics is one populary called the "Miraculous Medal." The pattern of the medal was manifested by the Blessed Virgin Mary in a vision to a young French girl, St. Catherine Laboure, who, in the year 1830, was preparing to be a nun. The countless extraordinary favors obtained as a result of the reverent use of this medal have earned for it the title of "Miraculous Medal."

According to her own account, Sr. Catherine saw Our Lady as shown on the medal and she heard an inward voice telling her to have a medal struck and promising that all who wore it should receive great graces (symbolized by the rays of light emitting from her fingers) through the intercession of the Mother of God.

Perhaps the most famous event in connection with this medal is the conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne in 1842. He was a Jew who, having reluctantly agreed to wear the medal, received a vision of Mary in a church in Rome, whereupon he became a Catholic and a priest, and founded a religious congregation.

Here is the official prayer offered to God by the priest when he blesses the medal:

"O Almighty and merciful God, Who, through the manifold apparitions of the Immaculate Virgin on earth, has deigned continually to perform wonderful things for the salvation of souls, graciously bestow Thy blessings on this medal, that they who piously venerate and devoutly wear it may feel Thy protection and obtain Thy mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us.----------------------------------------------------------Taken from:A Wreath of Flowers: Marian Activities for ChildrenDumb Ox Publications