St. Catherine Labouré Catholic Church

We, the community of St. Catherine Labouré empowered by the Holy Spirit, will strive to serve the Gospel message in reaching out as the Body of Christ to serve our brothers and sisters.

The Miraculous Medal

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

St. Catherine Labouré was given the mission of having the Miraculous Medal made by the Blessed Virgin on November 27, 1830 at 5:30 in the evening.  St. Catherine saw the Blessed Virgin standing on a globe, in a soft white gown, wearing a veil that fell gracefully to her feet.  In her hands the Blessed Virgin held a golden ball, and there were rings on her fingers.  From the jewels of the rings flashed rays of light.  The rays were so brilliant that St. Catherine could no longer see the Blessed Virgins' feet.  A voice told St. Catherine that "the rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them.  The gems from which the rays do not fall are the graces for which souls forget to ask."  Suddenly the golden ball vanished from the Blessed Virgins hands and she opened her arms in a gesture of love.  An oval frame took shape around her and written on the frame in letters of gold were the words "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

When the medal was turned in front of St. Catherine, she saw the back which contained a large "M" in the center.  Above the "M" was a bar with a cross.  Below the "M" were the hearts of Jesus, crowned with thorns, and the heart of Mary, pierced by a sword.  Encircling the "M" were twelve stars, thought to represent the twelve apostles.

St. Catherine told her confessor, Fr. Jean Marie Aladel about her vision.  He was skeptical and bid her ask the Blessed Virgin whether there should be any writing on the back of the medal.  St. Catherine did as she was asked, and the Blessed Virgin replied that the "M" and the two hearts were enough.  

It was not until the year 1832 that the medals were finally made.  When they were distributed among the people, they were readily accepted and cherished by millions.

Miracles began to be attributed to the medal almost immediately.  St. Catherine witnessed the wonders and miracles wrought through the Medal during the 46 years she was alive after it was created, conversions, restoration of health, dangers averted, all the while keeping the secret of her receiving the vision.  She did not reveal her secret until 1876, the year of her death that she was the "favored" sister who had received the vision. 

HOW ST. CATHERINE PRAYED

" When I go to the Chapel I place myself before the good God and I say to Him: 'Lord, here I am, give me what you will.' If he gives me something, I am very pleased and I thank Him. If He gives me nothing, I still thank Him because I do not deserve anything. And then again, I tell Him all that passes through my mind; I recount my pains and my joys and...I listen. If you listen to Him, He will speak to you also, because with the good God it is necessary to speak and to listen. He will always speak to you if you go to Him simply and sincerely."

You can get more information about the Miraculous Medal from the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal by writing to the following address:

The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal
475 E. Chelten Ave.

Philadelphia, PA 19144-5785

Send mail to stcathlab@juno.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 04/30/08