The story of the medal of the Immaculate Conception, or the Miraculous Medal, as it has come to be recognized today, is very beautiful. The Blessed Virgin Mary herself designed the medal in 1830, when she appeared to a young nun, Sr. Catherine Labouré, in the convent of the Sisters of Charity in Paris, France.
Catherine, or Zoë, as she was called by her family, was born in 1806, the daughter of Pierre and Madeleine Labouré, farmers in Fain-les-Moutier, France. Her mother gave birth to seventeen children; eleven of whom lived, Catherine being the second youngest. Little Zoë was very attached to her saintly mother and learned all her prayers and devotions from her. She would follow her mother everywhere throughout their home, learning to do the many chores and also how to manage the household. Because of this, after her mother's death, she became the housekeeper and efficient manager for her father's very large farm, even though she was only eight years old. At the age of fourteen she felt a calling to the religious life. With her father's permission, she entered the order of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Châtillon-sur-Seine and from there was transferred to the motherhouse on the Rue du Bac in Paris.
Catherine was the only one in her family not to have received an education, but Heaven will oftentimes choose these very people to do great works. From the very beginning of her religious life, Our Lord showered her with special favors, often appearing to her while she was praying before the Blessed Sacrament.
On the night of July 18, 1830, Catherine was awakened by a beautiful child in a shining garment, her guardian angel, who led her to the convent chapel. Announcing to her that the Blessed Mother was coming, he disappeared and suddenly Catherine heard the rustle of a silk skirt. Looking up, she beheld Our Lady coming towards her and then seating herself in a chair at the side of the altar. Catherine was so in awe of this vision, that she fell to her knees by the Virgin's side. In an instant, all fear and doubt left her. She placed her folded hands upon the Virgin's lap and together, for over two hours, they conversed. Our Lady told Catherine that she must be prepared to undertake a very difficult task.
On November 27th, the Virgin once again appeared to Catherine, this time, in the form of a picture. Catherine described the event as follows:
"I saw the Blessed Virgin standing on a globe, Her face was beautiful beyond words. Rays of dazzling light were streaming from gems on Her fingers, down to the globe. And I heard a voice say:'Behold the symbol of graces which I will shower down on all who ask Me for them!'Then, an oval frame surrounded Our Lady on which I read the prayer, in letters of gold:'O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee!'The oval frame turned and I could see, on the reverse side, enclosed in a frame of twelve stars, the letter M surmounted by a cross with a bar beneath. Below these symbols were the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, one surrounded by a crown of thorns, the other pierced by a sword. I heard a voice, which said to me:'Have a medal struck according to this model. Those who wear it, when it is blessed, will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around their necks. There will be graces in abundance for all who wear it with confidence."
Catherine confided this message to her confessor, Fr. Aladel, who, in turn, presented the evidence to the Archbishop of Paris, Most Rev. Hyacinthe-Louis de Quelen. After an extensive and careful investigation, the archbishop decided in favor of the apparitions and in 1832, he ordered that a medal be struck, designed in accordance with the instructions given to Catherine by Our Lady. The sisters of Catherine's order, the Sisters of Charity in Paris, were the primary promoters of this devotion, distributing the medals to everyone with whom they came in contact. The devotion spread very quickly and immediately the graces promised by the Blessed Virgin were "showered" upon those who wore her medal; blessings of healing, peace, prosperity and most especially, conversion. Very soon the people were referring to it as the "Miraculous Medal".
This medal is not a "good luck charm". There is no superstition or "magic" attached to this devotion. It is simply an instrument, or a sacramental, which is a testimony to the power of faith and trusting prayer. This simple medal, small and of little value, is like the humble Catherine Labouré herself. Uneducated and hidden from the world, even from the sisters in her convent (who were unaware of her identity as the priviledged one of God until after her death), she was chosen by God to bring about a great good for the world. "…God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong…" (1 Corinthians 1:27) The Church celebrates the feast day of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal on November 27th. To wear this medal is a blessing and a great privilege, for it is a special gift from the Blessed Mother herself.
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, pray for us!
St. Catherine Labouré, pray for us!
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