Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Prayer to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

“Virgin Mother of God,
Mary Immaculate,
I unite myself to you
under your title of Our Lady
of the Miraculous Medal.

May this medal be for me
a sure sign of your motherly
affection for me
and a constant reminder
of my duties toward you.

While wearing it,
may I be blessed by your
loving protection
and preserved in the grace
of your son.

Most powerful Virgin,
Mother of our Savior,
keep me close to you every
moment of my life,
so that like you I may live
and act according
to the example of your Son.
Amen.“

About Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary when she appeared to a Sister of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris. On July 18, 1830, Sister Catherine Laboure was awakened by a young angelic child standing at the end of her bed calling for her to come, “The Blessed Virgin is waiting for you” he said.

Sister Catherine followed the boy to the Chapel where she knelt at the altar rail and waited. She heard the rustling of material before she saw the Blessed Mother come and sit in the priest’s chair. Sister Catherine ran to her and, resting her hands on the knees of Mary, listened for hours as she was instructed about how to act in times of trials that she would soon encounter.

She predicted the terrible Revolution of 1830 in France and the Franco-Prussian War of 1860. She told Sister Catherine of a special mission that God had for her and the contradictions she would face. She asked Sister Catherine to tell no one of her visit except her confessor Father Aladel. On November 27, 1830, while in the chapel in meditation with other sisters, Sister Catherine again heard the rustling of material and the Blessed Virgin appeared standing on a globe and holding a smaller globe on top of a cross she seemed to offer to God. When the globe disappeared Mary lifted her hands that were covered with jewels. From some of the jewels, rays of light shown which she said were symbols of the graces that would be given to all who asked for them. The jewels that had no rays were symbols of unclaimed graces. An oval frame outlined the figure bearing in gold letters the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” When the frame revolved, on the back the letter M was surmounted by a cross with a crossbar underneath; and beneath that, the Sacred Heart of Jesus surrounded by a crown of thorns and the Sacred Heart of Mary pierced by a sword. She asked Catherine to have a medal made after the model and to spread devotion to the medal around the world.

Stories of cures an conversions made the medals popular and resulted in them being called “miraculous.”

To spread the devotion, Father Aladel formed confraternities or sodalities of the Children of Mary which did indeed spread all over the world. A statue of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was placed over the main altar in the chapel where Mary appeared to Sister Catherine.

Today, the devotion to the Miraculous Medal is still one of the most powerful prayers we can pray this side of Heaven.

Feast Day: November 27
Patron Saint of : Universal

Can anyone wear the Miraculous Medal?

Yes, anyone can wear the Miraculous Medal — but in order for the Miraculous Medal to possess power, graces and protection, one must be entirely devoted to our Blessed Mother Mary — the Blessed Mother our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Why is it called the Miraculous Medal?

The Miraculous Medal was first called “miraculous” after being given to Saint Catherine Laboure following her apparition and subsequent time spent with the Blessed Virgin Mary. This medal went on to perform many acts of healing and answered prayers at which time it was deemed “miraculous” by the Church and by its countless witnesses.

What do the 12 stars around Mary’s head mean?

The twelve stars above Mother Mary’s head, as referenced in the Book of Revelation 12:1, apply to both the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel (the original people of God described in the Old Testament), and today’s People of God following the twelve apostles (the renewed people of God in the NT and up through today).