Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (France) Published on 30 Mar 2012
"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." This invocation, included in many prayers, was revealed to Catherine Laboure during an apparition of Our Lady on November 27, 1830 in Paris. During vespers in the chapel of the convent of the Sisters of Charity, located on Rue du Bac, France, the young novice saw the Blessed Mother for the second time. The first appearance dates back to the previous July, when the Virgin had confided that she had a difficult mission to accomplish. Above the altar, two pictures represent two sides of a medal. Catherine Laboure, who was then 24 years, heard the voice of Mary, who told her: "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces". It was a request reiterated by Our Lady, who would appear again to the sister in December of the same year, again in the chapel of the Rue du Bac. In 1832, with the permission of the Bishop of Paris, Msgr. de Quellen, the first medals were cast. Some years later, in Rome, the great graces coming from the devotion were recognized, from those who adhered to the faith of the Church and wore this medal. Known worldwide as the Miraculous Medal, it is a reminder that above all, the love God has for mankind is truly miraculous. The image of Mary represented on the medal, with 12 stars around her head, would later inspire the European flag, as its creator, Arsène Heitz once explained. At the time of the three apparitions to Catherine Laboure, Mary spoke of the graces and gifts that God wanted to spread upon the Earth, but mankind no longer asks for through prayer. These are the words of Mary:"Come to the foot of this altar and here graces will be bestowed upon all,who ask with confidence and fervour." "The rays are the symbol of the graces which I scatter on those who ask me". "This small globe represents the entire world, particularly France and every single person." "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces."The medal is the extension of this faith in God, is a faith that Catherine Labourée lived in such silence that no one - except her spiritual director Fr. Aladel- knew that she had received apparitions, until her death. In Rome during 1917, St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Polish Franciscan friar who was later killed in the Auschwitz concentration camp taking the place of a father of a family, used this medal as the distinctive symbol for the Pious Union of the Militia of the Immaculata, which he founded. On July 27, 1947, Pope Pius XII canonized Sister Catherine Labourée, just 70 years after her death. Since then the body of the saint has been buried in the Chapel of the Rue du Bac in Paris, at the foot of the very altar where she saw the Madonna. PRAYER:You are blessed among all women!Blessed are you, for you have believed! The Almighty did wonders for you! The wonder of the divine motherhood! And now, the glory of your Son. You never cease to intercede for us poor sinners. You watch over the Church for you are its Mother. You watch over each of your Children. From God, you obtain for us, all graces that are symbolized by the rays of light which radiate from your open hands, and the only condition that you demand of us is that we approach with the confidence, the hardiness, and the simplicity of a child. And it is thus that you bring us before your Divine Son. Amen (Prayer of John Paul II, May 31, 1980, Rue du Bac) http://www.mariedenazareth.com http://www.chapellenotredamedelamedai...
Inside the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Do you know the full meaning and history behind the most famous of all Catholic medals, the Miraculous Medal?
November 27 is the feast day of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Two staff members here at The Catholic Company recently made pilgrimages to France where they visited many of France’s holy sites, including the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris.
This chapel is the actual location where Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure and requested that a medal be struck with her image surrounded by the words, “O Mary, Conceived Without Sin, Pray for Us Who Have Recourse to Thee”. This is where Mary took on the new title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, which is closely related to the Immaculate Conception feast day on December 8. The Miraculous Medal truly has a fascinating history which you can read more about here.
Both of our staff members enjoyed a wonderful time of spiritual renewal and came home with a deeper appreciation of the Miraculous Medal. And, since most of us either have not or cannot visit this holy site in France, here is a little virtual tour of the chapel via The Catholic Company blog. There is also a video posted below.
Above is an image of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris with little numbers marking the significant spots inside the church. Listed below is what is located at each number.
1) Bottom left of the altar near the bottom of the photo: This is the exact spot of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Catherine Laboure on July 18-19, 1830. At that time July 19 was the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul. On the eve of the feast day Sister Laboure asked for St. Vincent de Paul’s intercession that she might see the Blessed Virgin Mary. At 11:30pm she was awoken by her guardian angel who told her to go to the chapel. After thirty minutes of praying, she saw the Blessed Virgin Mary sitting on the priest’s chair. St. Catherine knelt before Mary, placed her hands in Our Lady’s lap, and a two-hour conversation ensued.
2) Statue to the right of the altar: This is a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a golden globe in her hands. This is the exact spot where the Miraculous Medal was revealed in a vision to St. Catherine on November 27, 1830.
3) To the left of the altar: This is the shrine of St. Louise de Marillac, co-foundress with St. Vincent de Paul of the Daughters of Charity, the religious order to which Sister Catherine Laboure belonged.
4) Above the altar: Another apparition location where Our Lady revealed herself to St. Catherine for the third time in December of 1830.
5) Wall fresco surrounding the altar: This is the fresco depicting the apparition that occurred in this chapel on July 18, 1830 (mentioned in #1).
6) Near bottom right of image: This is the body of St. Catherine Laboure kept in a glass case near the altar.
7) To the far right of the altar: This is the reliquary containing the heart of St. Vincent de Paul, through whose intercession Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure.
If you don’t wear a Miraculous Medal, I highly recommend it. Our Lady not only personally designed this medal and requested its production and promotion, but she also requested that it be worn around the neck. Many graces are promised and given to those who wear it with faith in their hearts.
Have you been blessed by wearing the Miraculous Medal? Do you have any stories to share with our readers?
Video tour of the chapel:
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