«Those who wear it will receive great graces, and the graces will be abundant for those who have confidence», the Virgin told Saint Catherine Labouré on November 27, 1830, showing her the Medal for the first time. And the records of Labouré’s canonization process attest precisely to many graces and conversions. Let us discover more.

A name that soon became universal

The striking of the first Medals marked the rebirth of faith, the revival of prayer, and the multiplication of conversions and healings attributed to Mary, «conceived without sin». Neither Sister Catherine nor Father Aladel, her spiritual director, had taken care to give the Medal a special name, and in the accounts of graces that immediately began arriving in Paris from every part of the world, it was initially called by various names, all beautiful and meaningful. Some called it simply “the Medal”; others called it “the new Medal”, “Mary’s Medal”, “the Medal that heals”, or “the Medal of the Immaculate”. But one name prevailed above all and soon became universal: the Miraculous Medal. It began to be called this as early as the end of 1833, one year after the first striking, and this can be explained by considering the extraordinary number of wonders that the Lord worked through it. Thanks to Father Aladel, we have important documents written over a full thirty-two-year period. They are his letters, circulated by Father Le Luillin, and the eight editions of the “Notice”. 

Healings and conversions 

The editions of Father Aladel’s Notice report a total of approximately 714 healings and conversions. Some examples include the healing of a mute woman from Constantinople, Sister Marie – Agloe Dausson, a young woman suffering from apoplexy in Chesmes (Switzerland), and Father Boulangier, the C.M.’s assistant superior general. 

Among the conversions, we remember that of Alfonso Ratisbonne. Other important personal testimonies bear witness to subsequent healings and graces. 

Requested everywhere

The Medal was requested everywhere, both by individuals and by parishes, and by dioceses through priests and bishops. The invocation: «O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you» became the most widespread short prayer in those years, preparing the hearts of all Catholics for the solemn proclamation, made by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854, of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

It can truly be said that the Medal was and is miraculous also in its rapid and widespread diffusion, which has never diminished over the years; on the contrary, it has increased considerably.

Wearing the Miraculous Medal means receiving an embrace of protection, a silent promise that you are not alone in the struggle. Mary is our refuge, our defense, our guide. May the medal become the visible sign of this protection, a symbol that reminds us at every moment that someone is watching over us.

Do you have an event or memory related to the Miraculous Medal that you would like to share? You can write it in the comments.