What is the Miraculous Medal?
That is what I wanted to know when I noticed one encircling the neck of a friend back over 20 years ago. (My beloved Grandma Sarah (R.I.P.), a devout Sicilian, may have worn one, but I do not recall this.) I learned then that the medal has a fascinating history and in researching for this post, I discovered that it was even the inspiration for the flag of the European Union!
The image on the front with the Virgin standing on a snake relates to a passage in the Book of Genesis (3:15): “…They will strike at your head, while you strike at their heel.”
In addition to the Cross of Christ intertwined with an “M” for Mary, the back of the medal has the stars from the Book of Revelation (12:1) “…on her head a crown of twelve stars.” They enclose Jesus’ Sacred Heart and Mary’s Immaculate Heart, illuminating their love for the world.
In the Heart of the Night
How did this medal come to be? Just before midnight on November 27, 1830, when she was a novice (woman just beginning her life to become a religious sister), 24-year-old Catherine, nicknamed Zoe, was called to her Parisian convent chapel where she had a vision from the Blessed Virgin Mary. What an extraordinary visit! She saw the Virgin twice more and was told prophecies about France and received instructions for the making of a medal. After Zoe obtained permission from her superiors, the medal was cast. The practice of wearing it around one’s neck as a prayer reminder and to gain graces of devotion gained enormous popularity, especially as miracles ensued. Around 80 million “miraculous medals” were struck in the first 10 years! Sister Zoe was canonized in 1947 and is known now as St. Catherine Labouré.
The Chapel of the Miraculous Medal
In the Daughters of Charity convent chapel at 14 Rue de Bac today you will find memorials to three saints in addition to Our Lady: St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and St. Catherine Labouré.
As you enter the small church, to the far right of the altar is the heart of St. Vincent de Paul on display in a reliquary. He did many great works including founding hospitals, helping war victims, establishing seminaries and ransoming African slaves. The St. Vincent de Paul Society, an organization dedicated to assisting the poor, was created in 1833 and has 90,000 volunteers in the U.S. alone today. Immediately to the left of that lying in repose under glass is the incorrupt body of the St. Catherine Labouré, patroness of seniors, who quietly gave her whole life for the sick and the elderly. Finally, to the left of the main altar is a replica of the body of St. Louise de Marillac, co-founder (along with St. Vincent as supervisor) of the Daughters of Charity. She is the patron saint of social workers.
The morning we visited this precious chapel, a great many of the faithful were gathering which caused me to remark, ‘there is such a devotion to Our Lady here!’ That’s when John gently said, ‘I saw that there is Mass starting in a couple of minutes.’ (That would also explain it!) We were grateful to attend this reverent “surprise” liturgy. Afterwards, in the small gift shop, I asked a kind Polish sister to pray for us and our pilgrimage. She actually prayed over us, which I have never had a religious sister do. Then she shared that less than five minutes away was a special chapel of St. Vincent de Paul that ought not be missed. So, our day was unfolding — on to the next chapel!
“O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee.”