MIRACULOUS MEDAL. — It originated from an apparition of the Madonna (27 Nov. 1830) to s. Caterina Labouré (v.), a Daughter of Charity.
The Virgin stood wearing an aurora-white dress and a white veil that fell at her sides to the ground. Her feet were treading on a serpent, resting upon a globe that was visible by half. From her hands descended luminous rays. Around the figure of the Virgin, in golden letters, was written: «O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to You». A voice said to her: «Have a medal made according to this model. Those who wear it blessed will receive great graces, especially by wearing it around the neck. Graces will abound for those who have confidence». Then it seemed that the image turned around, and the letter M surmounted by the Cross appeared, with a large line 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, Msgr. de Quèlen, in June 1832. From then on, devotion to the m. spread rapidly, and, because of the great miracles it wrought, it was called «miraculous» by the people. Famous was the conversion of the Jew Alfonso M. Ratisbonne, which took place in Rome, in the church of S. Andrea delle Fratte, on 20 Jan. 1842, commemorated each year with a liturgical feast (Madonna dei raggi). Pius IX enriched the medal with indulgences; Leo XIII granted it a feast (23 July 1894); Pius X (8 July 1909) approved the Association of the m. m. The Daughters of Mary (v.) also originated from this apparition. In 1927, the pious practice of the Perpetual Novena of the m. m., held every Monday, began in Philadelphia (United States). It is also spreading widely in Italy. The Sanctuary of the m. m. in Philadelphia includes the Work of the Medal, which publishes a bulletin with a circulation of more than 300,000 copies monthly.