Unveiling the Miraculous Medal: History, Significance, and Lasting Impact
The Miraculous Medal, also known as the Medal of Our Lady of Graces, is a devotional medal that was created following the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris, France. Initially called the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, it became known as the Miraculous Medal due to numerous accounts of miracles attributed to those who wore it. Goldsmith Adrien Vachette was responsible for making the original medal.
Believers recount the story of St. Catherine Labouré, who experienced two apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1830. During the second apparition, Mary revealed the design of the medal and instructed St. Catherine to have it made, promising great graces and blessings to those who wore it with devotion.
With the Catholic Church's approval, the first medals were made in 1832 and distributed in Paris. The Miraculous Medal became incredibly popular, spreading across countries and resulting in more than a billion medals being made by the time of St. Catherine's death in 1876. Today, the medal continues to be a source of blessings and graces for its wearers.
The front of the Miraculous Medal features Mary Immaculate, her hands open and full of light. Mary stands on the globe as the Queen of Heaven and Earth, with her feet crushing a serpent to symbolize the defeat of Satan. The words "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee" form a frame around the image.
The back of the medal displays a cross-and-bar atop a bold "M," with twelve stars marking the perimeter. Two hearts appear beneath the "M," one encircled with a crown of thorns and the other pierced by a sword, each emitting a flame from the top. The reverse side symbolizes the close relationship between Mary and the suffering, passion, and death of Jesus, as well as her role as Mother of the Church. The two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for humanity, and the twelve stars signify the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, symbolizing the entire Church as it surrounds Mary.
This remarkable medal serves as a visual reminder of our salvation through Jesus Christ and the role of Mary as the Mother of the Church, with believers continuing to experience blessings and graces when wearing it with devotion.
We have many options of Miraculous Medals to choose from, you will find different sizes and different styles - some more classic others more modern - white and yellow gold medals, but always of the highest quality and in 18K Gold.
