The miraculous medal

The Medal of the Immaculate Conception — popularly known as the Miraculous Medal — was designed by the Blessed Virgin herself!
No wonder, then that it wins such extraordinary graces for those who wear it and pray for Mary's intercession and help.
Mary spoke to St Catherine Labouré: “Have a medal struck upon this model.
Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.”

There is no superstition, nothing of magic, connected with the Miraculous Medal.
The Miraculous Medal is not a “good-luck charm”.
Rather, it is a great testimony to faith and the power of trusting prayer.
Its greatest miracles are those of patience, forgiveness, repentance, and faith.

To read how the medal came about, go HERE.



The Meaning of the Front Side of the Miraculous Medal
Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the head of a serpent beneath her foot.
She stands upon the globe, as the Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Her feet crush the serpent to proclaim Satan and all his followers are helpless before her (Gn 3:15).
The year of 1830 on the Miraculous Medal is the year the Blessed Mother gave the design of the Miraculous Medal to Saint Catherine Labouré.
The reference to Mary conceived without sin supports the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary—not to be confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, and referring to Mary's sinlessness, “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28)—that was proclaimed 24 years later in 1854.



The Meaning of the Back Side of the Miraculous Medal
The twelve stars can refer to the Apostles, who represent the entire Church as it surrounds Mary.
They also recall the vision of Saint John, writer of the Book of Revelation (12:1), in which “a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars.”
The cross can symbolize Christ and our redemption, with the bar under the cross a sign of the earth.
The “M” stands for Mary, and the interleaving of her initial and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus and our world.
In this we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as mother of the Church. The two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for us. (See also Lk 2:35).


Prayer on the medal - O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.