The Meaning of the Miraculous Medal

The Medal of Immaculate Conception, commonly known as the Miraculous Medal, is worn in honor of the Virgin Mary in hopes that prayers to her will be answered and that miracles will occur.

History

The Miraculous Medal was created from the description of a series of visions said to have been received by Sister Catherine Labouré (later she became St. Catherine) in the year 1830. She was a novice nun in Paris, France in the community of Daughters of Charity. Sister Catherine claimed that she experienced a series of three visions of the Virgin Mary speaking to her.

Features

The first vision came around July 19, 1830 when Catherine saw Mary in the chapel. Mary told the Sister that she had a mission for her to complete.
A second vision followed that same year in November when she was in an evening meditation. The Virgin appeared standing upon half a sphere and holding a globe in her hands, raised to the sky. Written upon the globe was "France." The Virgin told Catherine that the globe represented the whole world but especially France. From Mary's fingers there were rays of light streaming down from rings she wore that represented graces she would give to those who asked and prayed for them. In addition there were dark rings which Mary said graces that available but had not been prayed for.
The third vision depicted a medal with Mary standing on half a globe and crushing a snake's head. The Virgin's hands extended downward with beams of light emitting from them. Circling her were the words, "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
The reverse side showed the letter "m", a cross, twelve stars and two hearts. Mary told Catherine to have a medal made in this image and Catherine obeyed.

Significance

The image of Mary standing upon half a globe and crushing the head of a snake is said to show that Satan and his followers are powerless before her.
On the reverse side of the pendant the letter "m" represents Mary and the cross that rises above and is intertwined represents Jesus Christ or the belief that the sins of mankind have been alleviated with his death. The twelve stars above represent the twelve apostles and the two hearts below are said to be representational of Jesus and Mary's love for humankind.

Function

The Miraculous Medal is worn in supplication to the Virgin Mary. People often pray upon it to receive the grace of Mary. The Catholic Church approved of the medal's production in 1832 and they have continued to be produced and worn by followers of the Catholicism.

Theories/Speculation

While the Miraculous Medal is worn in a religious nature many followers of Christ wish for the medal not to be viewed as merely a charm or talisman. There is a belief that faith in God, the Church and Jesus Christ will bring salvation and the wearing of the medal is a statement of that faith.

Resources

• Chapel of the Miraculous Medal