One Side of the Medal

The Story of the Miraculous Medal
The medal we call "miraculous" came to us from heaven. Everything about the medal was carefully made just as Mary showed it to St. Catherine over 150 years ago.

It happened in Paris, France. The place was a convent in the center of the busy city. There a young girl saw and talked with our Blessed Mother. Seated in a chair near the altar, Mary told the young novice, Catherine Laboure, that she had been chosen for a special mission.

A few months later, November 27, 1830, St. Catherine saw our Lady standing on a globe, with dazzling rays of light streaming from her outstretched hands. Surrounding the image were the words: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you."

The other side of the Miraculous Medal Then the vision turned and showed the design of the reverse side of the medal. Twelve stars encircled a large "M" from which arose a cross. Beneath the "M" were the hearts of Jesus and Mary. "Have a medal struck according to this model," our Lady told St. Catherine. Mary promised great graces to all who wore the medal and prayed with confidence.

Within a short time the medals were made and distribution begun. Almost immediately people experienced the great graces promised them while they wore the medal which soon would be called "miraculous." The Miraculous Medal is not a "good-luck charm"; rather, it is a great testimony to faith and the power of trusting prayer. Its greatest miracles are those of patience, forgiveness, repentance, and faith.





NOVENA PRAYERS Opening Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shall renew the face of the earth.
0 God, You instructed 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. Amen.
0 Mary, conceived without sin, pray for who have recourse to thee. (3 times.)
Lord Jesus Christ, You have been pleased 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 the Holy Spirit, live and reign, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, for the accomplishment of Your works, You have chosen the weak things of the world, that no flesh may glory in Your sight. And for a better and more widely diffused belief in the Immaculate Conception of Your Mother, You have wished that the Miraculous Medal be manifested to Saint Catherine Laboure. Grant, we beseech thee, that filled with like humility, we may glorify this mystery by word and work. Amen.






Memorare
REMEMBER, 0 most gracious Vigin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, 0 virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. 0 Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.






NOVENA PRAYER
IMMACULATE Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Mother, penetrated with the most lively confidence in your all-powerful and never-failing intercession, 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 which we pray: (Mention your request).
You know, 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 People. Amen.






Act of Consecration
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 yourloving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son.
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 blessing of heaven forever. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times.)