History
The Medal of the Immaculate Conception, commonly called the Miraculous Medal, was
manifested to a spiritual daughter of St. Vincent de Paul, Sister (now Saint)
Catherine Laboure. This took place in the chapel of the Motherhouse of the
Sisters of Charity, 140 rue du Bac, Paris, France.
Sister Catherine, during her novitiate days, received extraordinary favors from
God, such as visions of the heart of St. Vincent and manifestations of Our Lord
in the Blessed Sacrament. In 1830 she was blessed with the apparitions of Mary
Immaculate to which we owe the Miraculous Medal.
The front of the Medal represents Mary standing on the earth, her foot
crushing the head of a serpent, and her hands outstretched to all who ask her
assistance. The prayer encircling her contains one of her most precious
titles: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
The rays of light from her hands symbolize the graces which she is only too
eager to bestow upon those who wear her Medal and pray to her. On the back of
the Medal is a large M surmounted by a bar and a cross; beneath the M are the
Hearts of Jesus and Mary, one crowned with thorns, the other pierced with a
sword.
The Medal was made according to Our Lady's design. It was freely circulated and
in a short time was worn by millions. In its wake followed wonders innumerable.
Health was restored, sickness banished; bad habits broken, special graces
given; dangers averted, blessings bestowed - until the little Medal of the
Immaculate Conception became known by the name it bears today, the
Miraculous Medal.
Novena in Honor of
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Stand
Immaculate Mary
(Lourdes Hymn)
Immaculate Mary,
thy praises we sing,
Who reignest in splendor
with Jesus, our King.
Chorus:
Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!
Ave, Ave, Maria!
Thy name is our power,
thy virtues our light,
Thy love is our comfort,
thy pleading our light. - Chorus
Opening Prayer
Celebrant: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Celebrant: Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in
them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created.
People: And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Celebrant: Let us pray.
O God, Who did instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy
Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in
His consolation, through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
People: Amen.
(repeat the next two lines three times)
Celebrant: O Mary, conceived without sin.
People: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Celebrant and People: O Lord Jesus Christ, Who have vouchsafed to glorify by
numberless miracles the Blessed Virgin Mary, immaculate from the first
moment of her conception, grant that all who devoutly implore her protection
on earth, may eternally enjoy Your presence in heaven, who, with the Father
and Holy Spirit, live and reign, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who for the accomplishment of Your greatest works, have
chosen the weak things of the world, that no flesh may glory in Your sight;
and Who for a better and more widely diffused belief in the Immaculate
Conception of Your Mother, have wished that the Miraculous Medal be
manifested to Saint Catherine Laboure, grant, we beseech You, that filled with
like humility, we may glorify this mystery by word and work. Amen.
Memorare
Celebrant and People: Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never
was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your assistance,
or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this
confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, our Mother; to you we come,
before you we kneel sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not our petitions, but in your clemency hear and answer them. Amen.
Novena Prayer
Celebrant and People: O Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our
Mother, penetrated with the most lively confidence in your all-powerful and
never-failing intercessions, manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal,
we your loving and trustful children implore you to obtain for us the graces
and favors we ask during this Novena, if they be beneficial to our immortal
souls, and the souls for whom we pray. (Here privately form your petitions.)
You know, O Mary, how often our souls have been the sanctuaries of your Son,
Who hates iniquity. Obtain for us then a deep hatred of sin, and that purity
of heart which will attach us to God alone, so that our every thought, word,
and deed may tend to His greater glory. Obtain for us also a spirit of
prayer and self-denial, that we may recover by penance what we have lost by
sin, and at length attain to that blessed abode where you are the Queen of
angels and of men. Amen.
An Act of Consecration to
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Celebrant and People: O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and
consecrate ourselves to you under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous
Medal. May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign of your affection
for us and a constant reminder of our duties toward you. Ever while wearing
it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace
of your Son. O most powerful Virgin, Mother of Our Savior, keep us close to
you every moment of our lives. Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a
happy death; so that in union with you, we may enjoy the bliss of heaven
forever. Amen.
(repeat the next two lines three times)
Celebrant: O Mary, conceived without sin.
People: Pray for us who have recourse to you.
Hail, Holy Queen
Enthroned Above
Hail, holy Queen enthroned above,
O Maria.
Hail, Queen of mercy and of love,
O Maria.
Chorus:
Triumph, all ye Cherubim,
Sing with us, ye Seraphim,
Heav'n and earth resound the hymm;
Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina.
The cause of joy to men below,
O Maria.
The spring though which all graces flow,
O Maria. - Chorus
O gentle, loving, holy one,
O Maria.
The God of Light became your Son,
O Maria. - Chorus