History

The Miraculous Medal, also known as Our Lady of Grace Medal or Immaculate Conception Medal, is a sacred emblem of the Catholic tradition. It was made following Marian apparitions that occurred in 1830 to St. Catherine Labouré, a novice in the convent of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, rue du Bac.

According to Sister Labouré, the medal was struck in response to Our Lady's request during her second apparition on 27 November 1830. The Virgin Mary indicated that the medal would be a sign of love, a promise of protection and a source of graces. The medal was blessed by Popes Gregory XVI and Pius IX, who used and supported it. The ‘Chapel of Apparitions’ in rue du Bac has since become an important place of pilgrimage, open to the faithful from all over the world. During the cholera epidemic of 1832, the Daughters of Charity distributed the medal in the Paris region, and numerous inexplicable healings were attributed to its intercession. As early as February 1834, the medal was popularly called ‘miraculous’.

Analysis of the Medal's symbols

The medal has an oval shape and is rich in symbolism. In the findings of the canonical enquiry of 13 July 1836, we read that the medal originates from a vision faithfully reported by Sister Labouré.

The serpent: Mary is represented in the act of crushing the serpent's head, an image foretold in the Bible (Gen 3:15), symbolising the victory of good over evil.

The rays of light: represent the graces that Mary distributes to the faithful. The Church defines them as the sign of her divine mercy.

The ejaculatoria: The medal is framed by the invocation ‘O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to You’.

The 12 stars: They symbolise the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles. The Virgin Mary is also called the Star of the Sea.

The heart crowned with thorns: represents the Sacred Heart of Jesus, symbolising the infinite love and sacrifice of Christ.

The heart pierced with a sword: this is the immaculate heart of Mary, inseparable from that of Jesus, as prophesied by Simeon (Lk 2:33-35).

The ‘M’ and the cross: The letter ‘M’ holds a crossbeam supporting the cross, indicating the close link between Mary and Jesus in salvation history.

The monogram of Jesus: The ‘I’ of Jesus intersected by the ‘M’ of Mary represents Jesus the Saviour and Mary the Co-Redeemer.

Mary is portrayed as the woman clothed with the sun (Rev 12:1), expressing God's transcendence. She wears a surplice, cloak and veil, suggesting priestly and consecrated attire.

Looking for iconographies of the Miraculous Medal?

Visit our site and discover the selection of religious articles dedicated to the Miraculous Medal of St Catherine Labouré and the collection of bracelets, rosaries, pictures and other products celebrating the Miraculous Madonna and the saints of Christian spirituality.