Tag: miracles

The Miraculous Medal

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Paris has always been a spiritual place for me.  

Having associated the city with its beautiful churches, cathedrals and miracles that have occurred within the country,  I truly love the peace it gives me when I visit.  

Years ago, I found myself with an extra day to fill while in the city.  Wandering through a part of town that I had never been to, I found the Chapel of Our Lady Miraculous Medal, tucked away on Rue de Bac, the location where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Catherine Labouré in 1830.

The chapel’s location, is quite inconspicuous and I doubt that you would find it if you were not actively trying to do so.  Even so, thousands of visitors make their way to the chapel each year to attend mass and purchase the medals that Our Lady requested to be created.  

Dating back to 1813, the chapel was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and located in the Hôtel de Châtillon.  It was expanded in 1849 and many times in the years after its inception.  The chapel we see today, was completed in 1930, however, the tabernacle, dating back to the seventeenth or eighteenth century is still as it was in 1815, coming from the building given to the Daughters of Charity in 1800.  

When Catherine Labouré was a seminary sister at the mother house of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, she began having visions.  In the first, Saint Vincent de Paul showed her his heart, each time in a different color;  white (peace), red (fire) and black (misfortunes that would come upon Paris and the entire country).  Her second vision displayed Christ presented in the Sacred Host, and then on The Feast of the Holy Trinity, He appeared as a crucified King, stripped of his adornments.

Her final vision came at the age of 24, when she received three visits from the Blessed Virgin Mary.  On July 18, the Blessed Virgin requested that Confraternity of the Children of Mary be established.  Mary’s second request was that a medal be created with the following invocation, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”  Following her orders, the medal was forged and since its creation, countless miracles have been attributed to the medal as well as conversions and protection for those seeking it.

Everyone knows about the miracles that occur at Lourdes, however, it has been said that more miracles have occurred through devotion to the Blessed Mother while praying with this medal.  It became known as the Miraculous Medal when during the cholera epidemic in Paris, in 1832, the Sisters handed out medals and many people were unexpectedly cured and then turned their faith to God.

The first thing you notice upon entering the chapel, besides the large number of the devoted bowing their heads in prayer, is how light and airy the space is.  High ceilings frame the chapel and tall columns line either side, making way for the side aisles containing the shrine of Saint Louise de Marillac, co-foundress with Saint Vincent de Paul of the Daughters of Charity and the reliquary containing the heart of Saint Vincent de Paul.

As I approached the altar, I admired the tabernacle decorated with an angel carrying a cross and its carved door depicting the nativity, crowned with a shining star.  The tabernacle is flanked by two light-carrying angels and topped by a beautiful ivory crucifix.  Towering above the tabernacle is the large marble statue of the Virgin with the Rays.

Another statue of Mary, the Virgin of the Globe, caught my eye, holding the world in her hands.  

I walked over to inspect the aisle dedicated to Saint Vincent de Paul which contains the Altar of the Apparitions, a mosaic by Maison Maurmejean and the most important piece, the relic of the heart of Saint Vincent de Paul, which was brought to Paris from Turin during the Revolution.

Crossing over to the other aisle, I gazed upon the body of Saint Louise de Marillac, which has rested inside the chapel since 1920.

The main attraction of the chapel, however, is Catherine Labouré.  Buried in the chapel in Enghien-Reuilly, the location of her death, the vault was opened at the time of her beautification and her body was found to be perfectly intact.  It was transferred to the chapel and presently lies under the altar of Our Lady of the Globe in a glass coffin.  Many of the faithful kneel before her, laying down their burdens and tribulations.

After a few minutes spent in prayer, I headed out into the courtyard and into the gift shop.  There are many styles and sizes of the Miraculous Medal available for purchase as well as rosaries, prayer books and prayer cards.

A site of spirituality and miracles, a visit to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is a must for true believers.  See the spot where these holy apparitions took place and see the person responsible for the medal.  Purchase one, wear it and share it with other faithfuls.  

The Miraculous Medal Prayer

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.

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Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal