_Article 1_
The Association of the Holy Medal in Honor of the Immaculate
Conception has been established as a living and perpetual memorial of
the apparition of Mary Immaculate, which took place (at the Chapel of
the Daughters of Charity, Rue du Bac, Paris) in the year 1830, the
feast of which is celebrated on November 27. At this apparition the
Blessed Virgin herself clearly indicated the design of the
commemorative medal that was to be struck. The medal spread and
wrought wonders, and thus received from the faithful the title
"Miraculous."
_Article 2_
The end or aim of the Association is to render due honor to Mary
Immaculate, first by sanctifying ourselves, and second by
contributing to the sanctification of our neighbor by means of the
Miraculous Medal. The medal is an efficacious symbol of this double
sanctification, by virtue of the promises attached to it by Mary
herself.
_Article 3_
The Association canonically erected in each diocese is governed,
according to its own laws and usages, by diocesan directors,
appointed by their respective bishops, but under the authority of one
director general.
_Article 4_
By virtue of a rescript of His Holiness Pius X (June 3, 1905), the
same privileges and indulgences granted to the Association of the
Scapular of the Immaculate Conception (blue scapular) have been
extended to the Association of the Holy Medal of the Immaculate
Conception (Miraculous Medal).
_Article 5_
All the faithful of both sexes may become members of this Association
and sharers in its privileges. The only condition is that they wear
the medal suspended from the neck on the breast, when the medal has
been blessed and imposed by a priest delegated to do so according to
the rite approved by Leo XIII (April 19, 1895).
_Article 6_
The principal feast of the Association is November 27,--Feast of the
Apparition of the Immaculate Virgin of the Miraculous Medal.
_Article 7_
The associates incur no new obligation. They are recommended to
repeat frequently the invocation inscribed on the medal: "O Mary
conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
The Director General of the Association is the Superior General of
the Congregation of the Mission and of the Daughters of Charity.
According to article 4 of the Statutes, the Indulgences and
Privileges of the Association of the Scapular of the Immaculate
Conception (blue scapular) have been extended to the Association of
the Miraculous Medal by a Rescript of Our Holy Father, Pius X, June
3, 1905.
The following is a summary of these Indulgences and Privileges:
_Plenary Indulgences_
1. On the day of reception.
2. A member elevated to the priesthood on the day of his first Mass.
3. At the hour of death.
4. During exercises of retreat, once a year.
5. On the first Sunday of each month.
6. All the Saturdays of Lent.
7. On Passion Sunday and on following Friday.
8. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Holy Week.
9. On the feast of Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Ascension and
Pentecost.
10. On feast of Immaculate Conception, Nativity, Purification,
Annunciation and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
11. On the principal Theatine feasts; St. Cajetan, August 7;
Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14; St. Andrew Avelino,
November 10; St. Joseph, March 19; Blessed Joseph Mary Thomas, March
24; Finding of the Holy Cross, May 3: Blessed Paul Buralis
(Theatine), June 17; St. John the Baptist, June 24; St. Peter and St.
Paul, June 29; Last Sunday of July; Our Lady of Angels of
Portiuncula, August 2; St. Augustine, August 28; St. Michael the
Archangel, September 29; Guardian Angels, October 2; St. Teresa,
October 15; All Saints, November 1; and Blessed John Maronius
(Theatine), December 13.
12. On several other days of the year: on first and last days of
Christmas novena; once a year during the Forty Hours; on April 12,
Canonization of St. Cajetan; once a year on a day appointed by the
Director General.
13. The indulgences of the Roman Stations on days specified in Roman
Missal on condition that one visit a church containing an altar of
Our Blessed Mother and pray for the ordinary intentions. (If the
Theatines have a church in the place, that church is to be visited.--
Pius IX, December 3, 1847).
14. The indulgences of the seven Roman Basilicas twice a month
(conditions same as last above).
15. Twice a month the indulgences granted those who visit the Holy
Land and the Holy Sepulcher (conditions as in 13).
16. All the indulgences granted those who visit the seven Roman
Basilicas, the Portiuncula Indulgence and the Jerusalem and
Compostella indulgences, on condition that one recite six Our
Fathers, six Hail Marys and six Glorias in honor of the adorable
Trinity and of the Immaculate Mother of God, to obtain the exaltation
of the Church, the extirpation of heresies and peace and union among
Christian princes. By a decree of the Congregation of Indulgences
(March 31, 1859), the indulgences of the seven Roman Basilicas, of
the Portiuncula, of Jerusalem and of St. James of Compostella may be
gained every time (toties quoties) that a member of the Association
of the Miraculous Medal recites six Our Fathers, six Hail Marys and
six Glorias, anywhere, without adding any other prayers and even
without receiving the Sacraments (the state of grace, of course,
supposed). All these indulgences are applicable to the souls in
Purgatory. This decree of the Congregation was confirmed by Pius IX.
April 14, 1856.
_Partial Indulgences._