_The Miraculous Medal of the Immaculate Conception._
Perhaps I can relate nothing more suitable in regard to the origin of
this celebrated medal, so justly styled _'miraculous,'_ than by
transcribing the letter addressed to the author of the book, 'Mary
Conceived without Sin,' by the spiritual Director of the Sister of
Charity to whom the medal was revealed:
'Paris, 17th March, 1834.
'Towards the close of the year 1830, Sister M., a novice of one of the
communities in Paris, dedicated to the service of the Poor, saw,
whilst in prayer, a picture representing the Blessed Virgin, standing
with her arms extended. She wore a white garment, a blue and silver
cloak, and a veil coloured like the aurora, whilst rays of dazzling
splendour issued from her hands. At the same time the Sister heard
these words: "These rays are the symbol of the graces which Mary
obtains in favour of mankind; and that part of the globe upon which
they fall with greater abundance is France." Around the picture was
written the invocation, _"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us
who have recourse to you."_ The Sister having considered it for a
moment, cast her eyes upon the other side of the picture, and saw the
letter _"M"_ surmounted by a Cross, and below it, the Sacred Hearts of
Jesus and Mary. Then the voice said again: _"A medal must be struck
according to this model; and whoever shall wear it, properly blessed
and indulgenced, shall be protected by the Mother of God in a most
special manner."_
'The novice came quickly to narrate the vision to me; and I, supposing
it to be a mere pious illusion, simply addressed a few words to her
upon true devotion to Mary, pointing out to her that the imitation of
her virtues ever was, and will be, the true means of honouring her.
'After about six months, she had the same vision, and I made her the
same reply. Finally, after another interval of six months, she saw the
picture again, and heard the same words, except that the voice
expressed how much it displeased the Blessed Virgin that there was so
much delay in having the medal struck.
'This time, however, I attached greater importance to the revelation,
without allowing the novice to perceive it; and I began to reflect and
fear lest I was not seconding the designs of her who is so justly
invoked by the Church under the sweet name of "Refuge of Sinners."
'A short time afterwards I had the opportunity of seeing the
Archbishop, and gave him an accurate account of these visions. He
answered me that "he saw nothing whatever objectionable in this medal
being struck, as it was conformable to the faith of the Church and to
the piety of the faithful towards the Mother of God; and that it might
certainly contribute to the promotion of her honour."
The medal was finally struck in the month of June, 1832.
'In one of the three visions, the novice asked if it were not
necessary to insert some words on that part of the medal where the
letter _"M"_ and the Cross, with the two Hearts, are represented; but
she was answered that these objects spoke with sufficient eloquence to
the faithful soul.
'When the medal was struck, it was quickly circulated amongst the
Sisters of Charity, who, when they learnt its origin, wore it with
much devotion, and began to hang it on the necks of the sick under
their charge, and these shortly experienced happy results. Three cures
and three conversions were wrought in a miraculous manner in Paris,
and in the diocese of Meaux. Then the desire to possess the
_miraculous medal_, or the medal _that cures_, became universal.
Mothers of families gave it as a New Year's gift to their children,
and as a preservative to their innocence. As soon as it became known
in a place, pious persons hastened to become possessed of it. But what
greatly surprised and edified me, from the beginning of its
propagation, was that all the children of two of our provinces agreed
together to take this medal as the protection of their youth. In many
places entire populations addressed themselves to their Pastor to
procure it; and, at Paris, an officer purchased sixty for as many
private soldiers who had asked him for it.
'Whilst the medal was miraculously propagated in all classes and
provinces, the most consoling accounts were sent me by the Parish
Priests, Vicar-Generals, and even by Bishops. They say that _"it
reanimates fervour in populous towns as well as in the country; it
gains our entire confidence; we look upon it as a means sent by
Providence to enkindle faith, which in our days has so visibly
decreased; and in reality it daily awakens this faith in many hearts,
in which it seemed to be extinguished; it re-establishes peace and
concord in many families; and there is no one who wears this medal who
does not experience its salutary effects."'_
Not only in France which is specially under the protection of Mary
Most Holy did the faithful of every age, sex, and condition, rival one
another in zeal and solicitude to possess the _miraculous_ medal; it
spread also like lightning throughout Switzerland, Piedmont, Spain,
Italy, Belgium, England, America, in the Levant, and even in China;
and we can certify that in the present day the number of these medals
exceeds thirty millions. In every place it is asked for by indifferent
Christians, by obstinate sinners, by the impious, by Protestants,
Jews, and Turks, and worn with veneration. Heaven grant that it may
not be without fruit!--that she, to whom the Church applies those
words of Holy Scripture, _'He who shall find Me shall find life, and
have salvation from the Lord,'_ may conduct and confirm us in the way
of salvation!
Plenary Indulgences at the hour of death, and on all the principal
festivals of the year, and on the feasts of the Apostles are attached
to this medal when blessed by anyone who possesses the faculty.
_Prayer._--O Lovely Child, who, in your happy Nativity, didst console
the world, rejoice Heaven, terrify hell, and become the relief of
sinners, the consolation of the afflicted, the health of the sick, and
the joy of all men, I entreat you, with all the fervour of my soul, to
be spiritually born in my heart through your holy love. Attach my soul
once for all to your happy service, and my heart to yours, that my
life may be adorned with the virtues which will render me dear to you.
O Mary! produce in me the salutary effects of your sweet name, and
obtain that the invocation of this holy name may be my strength in
sufferings, my hope in dangers, my shield in spiritual conflicts, and
my support and comfort in the agonies of death. May it be honey to my
mouth, music to my ears, and the only joy of my heart! Amen.
_Aspiration._--Morning Star, pray for me.
_Practice._--Visit the altar of the Blessed Virgin, after having
adored the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.