As Catholics, we probably recognize the Miraculous Medal. The stunning image of Our Lady standing atop a globe with radiant light beaming from her outstretched hands is seen all around us, on medals around our necks, adorning homes and churches, and as centerpieces on rosaries. However, we may not know that the original name of the medal was the “Medal of the Immaculate Conception.”
The “Medal of the Immaculate Conception” was spread through the advocacy of St. Catherine Labouré, to whom Our Lady herself gave this image. Upon distribution of these medals to the faithful, numerous miracles were reported almost immediately and the medal was aptly called miraculous.
Let’s take a look at some of these miracles that gave the Miraculous Medal its name:
1. In Paris, an 8-year-old girl was the only one in her class who did not wear a medal and was the only one who caught cholera. She was given a medal and returned to school the next day.
2. A pregnant woman contracted cholera and was thought close to death. After being given the medal, she had a smooth delivery and both mother and baby were found to be healthy.
3. A child who had been unable to walk was healed when he wore the medal on the first day of a novena.
4. In 1842, a young man named Alphonse Tobie Ratisbonne experienced a conversion. From a Jewish family, Ratisbonne had a deep and very public hatred of Catholicism. During a trip in 1841, he unexpectedly spent time in Rome and met Baron Bussieres, a newly-converted Catholic. The two argued about the Faith and the Baron gave Ratisbonne a Miraculous Medal, challenging him to wear it and recite the Memorare prayer. Shortly after, Our Lady appeared to Ratisbonne in exactly the same way as she is depicted on the Miraculous Medal. He was converted immediately and was baptized that same night.
After only four years, the number of medals distributed reached the millions, and by Catherine’s death in 1876, the number was in the billions.
Our Lady still desires to perform miracles through her Miraculous Medal! Invoke her great and loving intercession with this beautiful Miraculous Medal Rosary with a matching blue Miraculous Medal box. Conveniently proportioned so that it can be kept readily at hand, this stunning rosary and box will become a daily reminder for you to invoke the miraculous love of Our Lady. Get yours today from The Catholic Company!
