PRAYER FOR PEACE

 A group of parishioners from the parish of the Sacred Heart and Mary Immaculate in Mill Hill, northwest London come together to help with the mission of preparing Miraculous Medals for distribution. Many thousands of medals are sent out all over the world.

Saint Catherine Labouré (Daughter of Charity) asked for the medal to be made, as Our Lady had requested at the apparitions in Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal at 140 Rue du Bac in Paris, in 1830. The Chapel is a major destination for pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal and healing. Daily Masses, confessions, and rosary prayers are held in multiple languages. To this day, People wear the medal as a sign of trust in the help and intercession of the Virgin Mary. Mary promised that -“Those who wear the medal with faith and trust will receive great graces.”

As the birthplace of the Miraculous Medal devotion, the chapel in the Rue du Bac holds deep significance in global Marian spirituality. It symbolizes compassion, humility, and divine intercession, and remains one of Paris’s most quietly powerful sacred landmarks, visited by believers from around the world.

The medal was produced soon after the apparitions of 1830 and became widely known because many people reported spiritual and physical favours through Mary’s intercession. This led to it being popularly called the “Miraculous Medal.”

Symbols on the Medal

The medal is rich in Christian symbolism.

Front

• Mary standing on a globe – showing her role in God’s plan for the world.
• Rays from her hands – symbolizing graces given to those who ask for them.
• The prayer around the edge:
  “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
  This reflects the belief in the Immaculate Conception.

Back

• A large “M” with a cross above it – symbolizing Mary united with the mission of Jesus Christ.
• Two hearts:
• The Sacred Heart of Jesus (crowned with thorns)
• The Immaculate Heart of Mary (pierced with a sword)
• Twelve stars – representing the apostles and the Church.

Why People Wear It.

Catholics wear the Miraculous Medal for several reasons:

1. A sign of faith and devotion to Mary.

2. A reminder to pray and trust in God’s grace.

3. A symbol of protection and help through Mary’s intercession.

4. A sacramental—an object blessed by the Church that helps people grow spiritually.

It is important to note that the Church teaches the medal is not a magic charm; rather, it is a devotional sign encouraging prayer and faith.

Because the apparitions were given to Saint Catherine Labouré, a member of the Daughters of Charity, the medal has a special place in the Vincentian Family founded by Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac.

One testimony as to the prayerful trust people have in the medal, was sent in this week just as the bombs started to rain down on people in the Middle East.-

“Dear sister Barbara, my son arrived home on leave from Qatar one day before the bombing started. It was very unexpected. He has just showed me what he always has with him. You gave him this medal a long time ago when he visited Mum in Christopher Grange in Liverpool.”