MIRACULOUS MEDAL. - It originates from an apparition of the Virgin Mary (27 Nov. 1830) to St. Catherine Labouré (v.), a Daughter of Charity.
The Virgin was standing, wearing a white-aurora dress and a white veil that fell at her sides down to the ground. Her feet were treading on a serpent, resting upon a globe that was visible only in half. From her hands descended luminous rays. Around the figure of the Virgin could be read in golden letters: "O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee." A voice said to her: "Have a medal struck after this model. The persons who wear it blessed will receive great graces, especially by wearing it around the neck. The graces will be abundant for persons who have confidence." Then it seemed that the picture turned, and there appeared the letter M surmounted by the Cross, with a thick line at the base, and, below the letter, the hearts of Jesus and of Mary.
The first medals were struck with the consent of the Archbishop of Paris, Msgr. de Quèlen, in June 1832. From that time the devotion to the m. spread rapidly, and, because of the great prodigies it worked, it was called by the people "miraculous." Famous is 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 of the Rays). Pius IX enriched the medal with indulgences; Leo XIII granted its feast (23 July 1894); Pius X (8 July 1909) approved the Association of the m. m. From this apparition also originated the Association of the Daughters of Mary (v.). From 1927 the pious practice of the Perpetual Novena of the m. m. began in Philadelphia (United States), which is held every Monday. It is spreading widely also in Italy. To the sanctuary of the m. m. of Philadelphia is joined the Work of the Medal, which has a bulletin with a circulation of over 300,000 copies monthly.
Bibliography4 works
Annibale Bugnini