Miraculous Medal
The Miraculous Medal originates from an apparition of the Madonna (27 Nov. 1830) to St. Catherine Labouré (v.), Daughter of Charity.
The Virgin stood dressed in a white-aurora gown and a white veil that fell on either side to the ground. Her feet rested upon a serpent, crushing it, while she stood upon a globe that was visible only in part. Radiant rays issued from her hands. Around the figure of the Virgin, in golden letters, was the inscription: «O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee». A voice said to her: «Have a medal struck according to this model. Those who wear it when blessed will receive great graces, especially when worn around the neck. The graces will be abundant for those who have confidence». Then the tableau seemed to turn, and there appeared the letter M surmounted by a cross, with a large bar at its base, and beneath the letter, the hearts of Jesus and Mary.
The first medals were struck with the consent of the Archbishop of Paris, Monsignor de Quelen, in June 1832. From that time, devotion to the medal spread rapidly, and, on account of the great wonders it worked, it was called by the people the «Miraculous Medal». Notable is the conversion of the Jew Alphonse Ratisbonne, which took place in Rome, in the church of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte on 20 Jan. 1842, and is commemorated annually with a liturgical feast (Madonna of the Rays). Pius IX enriched the medal with an indulgence; Leo XIII granted a feast in its honour (23 July 1894); Pius X (8 July 1909) approved the Association of the Miraculous Medal. From this apparition also arose the Association of the Daughters of Mary (v.). Since 1927, the pious practice of the Perpetual Novena of the Miraculous Medal has been observed every Monday in Philadelphia (United States), and it is spreading widely in Italy as well. Attached to the shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Philadelphia is the Work of the Medal, which publishes a bulletin with a monthly circulation of over 300,000 copies.