October 18, 2025 • 39 mins
We trace Catherine Labouré’s hidden path from Burgundy to Rue du Bac, where a midnight summons became a global devotion. Through history, symbols, miracles, and mission, we show why a small medal still carries big grace.
• early life and formation of Catherine Labouré
• 1830 France as context for the apparitions
• July 18 encounter and personal commissioning
• November 27 vision and the medal design
• December confirmation of mission and promises
• theology of the medal and Church approval
• spread of devotion amid cholera and upheaval
• documented miracles and conversions
• the Vincentian charism and service to the poor
• practical invitation to deepen Marian devotion
Visit our website today and let Journeys of Faith guide you to a deeper devotion. Don’t just read about faith, live it.
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SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Welcome to Journeys of Faith.
(00:03):
Welcome to Journeys of Faith.
Brother Joseph Frey Aldenhovenhere.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for the full
article.
Marian Apparitions, CatherineLaBouray, and the Miraculous
Metal.
In the quiet heart of nineteenthcentury Paris, a young novice
named Catherine Labouret foundherself at the center of a
(00:24):
divine mystery that would ripplethrough the Catholic world for
generations.
Her story, one of humble fateand celestial visions, isn't
just a footnote in churchhistory, it's a living testament
to the power of Marian devotion,a beacon for pilgrims and
believers seeking theintercession of the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
(00:45):
Here at Journeys of Faith, Inc.,we're dedicated to uncovering
these sacred narratives, divingdeep into the lives of saints
and the miracles that define ourCatholic heritage.
Since our founding in 1980 byBob and Penny Lord, our mission
has been to inspire and educatethrough authentic storytelling,
(01:06):
pilgrimages, and resources thatbring the wonders of our faith
to life.
Catherine Laboray's encounterwith the Virgin Mary in 1830
wasn't just a personalrevelation, it birthed the
miraculous medal, a sacramentalthat countless Catholics have
worn as a shield of grace, atangible link to Mary's promise
(01:26):
of protection.
This isn't mere folklore ordusty legend, it's a chapter of
our shared spiritual journey,one that speaks to the heart of
Mary and apparitions and theirenduring impact.
Whether you're a lifelongdevotee or a curious soul
exploring the depths of Catholictradition, Catherine's story
invites us all to reflect on theways the divine intersects with
(01:47):
the ordinary.
Join us as we trace her pathfrom the silent cloisters of the
Daughters of Charity to theglobal devotion sparked by her
visions, and discover how themiraculous metal continues to be
a source of hope and healing formillions.
Through the lens of journeys offaith, let's walk this sacred
ground together, inspired by ourmotto to deepen understanding
(02:10):
and devotion through the powerof pilgrimage and storytelling.
Early life and spiritualformation of Saint Catherine
LaBeret.
In the Rolling Hills ofBurgundy, France on May 2, 1806,
a girl named Zoe Le Bure wasborn into a world of toil and
faith, the ninth of elevenchildren in a farming family.
(02:33):
Her early life wasn't marked bydivine visions or heavenly
choirs, at least not yet.
Instead, it was shaped by thegritty reality of loss and
labor.
Her mother died when Zoe wasjust nine, thrusting her into a
role of caretaker for heryounger siblings while her
father worked the fields.
Picture a child barely oldenough to grasp her own grief,
stepping into a mother's shoes,kneading bread and tending to
(02:54):
scrape knees with a quietresolve that would later define
her sainthood, but faith was theheartbeat of the laboret
household a steady rhythm amidstthe chaos.
Zoe's father, though stern andweathered by life, instilled in
her a deep reverence for thechurch.
She often slipped away to thelocal chapel, a sanctuary of
stillness where she could kneelbefore the Blessed Virgin Mary,
(03:19):
her spiritual mother in theabsence of her earthly one.
It's here, in these stolenmoments of prayer, that you can
almost see the seas of hervocation taking root, though she
couldn't have known theextraordinary path ahead.
At eighteen, after a dream inwhich Saint Vincent de Paul
beckoned her to a life ofservice, Zoe felt the pull
(03:40):
toward religious life, a callshe couldn't ignore even if she
tried.
Her father, however, wasn't keenon losing another pair of hands
to the convent.
He sent her to Paris to work inher brother's restaurant, hoping
the bustle of city life woulddrown out her spiritual longing.
But Paris, with its noise andgrit, only sharpened her focus.
(04:01):
Zoe, now in her early twenties,pushed back against the mundane,
her heart still tethered to thatchapel in Burgundy.
In 1830, she finally entered theDaughters of Charity of Sign to
Vincent de Paul, taking the nameCatherine.
This wasn't just a name change,it was a transformation.
Her formation as a novice wasmarked by humility and
(04:22):
discipline, a stripping away ofself in service to others.
She worked in a hospice, tendingto the poor and elderly, her
hands calloused but her spiritalight with purpose.
Little did she know the motherof God was about to step into
her quiet life with a missionthat would echo through
centuries.
Join us on a journey of faithwith journeys of faith
(04:44):
incorporated.
Hey there, fellow seekers of thedivine.
If the story of CatherineLaboray and the miraculous metal
has stirred something in yoursoul, let's take this journey
deeper together.
At Journeys of Faith Incorrer,we've been guiding Catholics
like you since 1980, uncoveringthe miracles and mysteries of
our faith through authenticpilgrimages and powerful
(05:06):
storytelling.
Founded by Bob and Penny Lord,our mission is to inspire and
educate, helping you grow closerto Christ through the rich
heritage of the Church.
Browse our miraculous metalcollection.
Here's how you can dive in withus.
Embark on a pilgrimage.
Walk in the footsteps of saintsand visionaries at holy shrines
(05:27):
worldwide, experiencing thetransformative power of Marian
devotion firsthand.
Explore our resources from bookslike This Is My Body, This Is My
Blood, to streaming content andretreats.
Our multimedia library bringsmiracles and saints' lives to
your home.
Join our community, connect withfellow Catholics through our
programs, and share in the aweof God's wonders.
(05:49):
Don't just read about faith,live it.
Visit our website today and letjourneys of faith guide you to a
deeper devotion.
Let's uncover the divinetogether.
France in 1830, social andreligious context for the
apparitions of let's set thestage.
France in 1830 was a nationstaggering under the weight of
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its own history, a country stillreeling from the aftershocks of
revolution and empire.
The French Revolution of 1789had upended everything monarchy,
church, and the very fabric ofsociety, leaving a legacy of
secularism that clashed hardagainst the deep Catholic roots
of the people.
(06:30):
By the time Catherine Labouretexperienced her visions, France
was a pressure cooker ofpolitical upheaval and spiritual
hunger.
The July Revolution of 1830,which unfolded just months
before the apparitions, saw theoverthrow of King Charles II and
the rise of the more liberalLouis Philippe I barricades went
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up in Paris, blood stained thestreets, and the air was thick
with uncertainty.
For many it felt like the worldwas unmoored.
Religiously the landscape wasjust as turbulent.
The Catholic Church, once thebedrock of French identity, had
been battered by decades ofanti-clerical policies,
monasteries and convents hadbeen shuttered during the
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Revolution, priests forced intohiding or exile, and the
faithful often left withoutshepherds.
Yet beneath the surface therewas a quiet, stubborn
resurgence.
Devotion to the Virgin Mary inparticular was a lifeline for
many French Catholics, a way tocling to hope amid chaos,
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confraternities and laymovements dedicated to Mary were
gaining traction, and thelonging for divine intervention
was palpable.
People were desperate for asign, a whisper from heaven that
God hadn't abandoned them.
Into this fractured worldstepped Catherine Le Boret, a
young daughter of charityserving in a Paris convent.
Her visions of the BlessedVirgin Mary in November of 1830
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didn't happen in a vacuum, theywere a response to a society
crying out for healing.
Mary's message, deliveredthrough the miraculous metal,
promised grace and protection tothose who sought it, a tangible
lifeline for a people batteredby loss and division.
The timing wasn't coincidence,it was Providence, speaking
directly to the wounds of anation.
(08:20):
The night of July 18th, thefirst visit of Our Lady.
In the stillness of a Parisnight, something extraordinary
unfolded on July 18, 1830,within the humble walls of the
Daughters of Charity Convent onRue Dubac, Catherine Labouret, a
young novice still finding herfooting in her vocation, was
roused from sleep by a voice, achild's voice, urgent and
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tender, calling her name.
It was no dream, no trick of aweary mind.
This was real, as real as thewooden floor beneath her feet as
she followed the mysterioussummons to the chapel.
There, in the flickering glow ofcandlelight, Catherine beheld a
sight that would forever alterthe course of her life and
ripple through the faith ofmillions.
The Blessed Virgin Mary stoodbefore her, radiant and serene,
(09:06):
her presence both a comfort anda call to action.
Our lady spoke with a claritythat pierced the heart,
entrusting Catherine with amission of profound importance.
She warned of turbulent timesahead for France and the world,
prophecies of suffering andupheaval that would soon prove
true, but amidst the foretolddarkness Mary offered a beacon
(09:30):
of hope, a promise of grace forthose who would turn to her.
Yet this first apparition wasintimate, almost personal, as if
Mary had chosen Catherine notfor her stature or eloquence,
but for her quiet humility, herwillingness to listen.
The young novice knelt in awe,absorbing every word, every
gesture as the mother of Godlaid the groundwork for what was
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to come.
It wasn't just a vision, it wasa commissioning, a sacred charge
that would test Catherine'sfaith and obedience in ways she
could scarcely imagine.
That night, the seeds of themiraculous metal were planted,
though the full design of Mary'splan remained a mystery, waiting
to unfold in the encounters thatfollowed.
(10:16):
November twenty seventh Visionthe Miraculous Metal revealed in
the quiet, hallowed halls of theDaughters of Charity Convent in
Paris, on the night of novembertwenty seventh, eighteen thirty,
Catherine Laboret found herselfdrawn into a moment that would
ripple through the history ofCatholic devotion.
(10:37):
She was no stranger to thesupernatural, by then earlier
visions of the Virgin Mary hadalready stirred her humble
heart, but this night wasdifferent.
This was the night when themiraculous metal, a tangible
symbol of divine grace, would beunveiled to the world through
her eyes.
(10:57):
As Catherine knelt in prayer,the air seemed to shimmer with a
holy presence.
Mary appeared standing on aglobe, rays of light streaming
from her hands, a vision ofmaternal power and compassion.
Around her an oval frame borethe words, O Mary, conceived
without sin, pray for us whohave recourse to thee.
It was a plea and a promise,etched into the very fabric of
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the moment.
Then as if time itself paused,the image rotated, revealing a
cross intertwined with theletter M, flanked by the sacred
heart of Jesus and theImmaculate Heart of Mary, with
twelve stars encircling thedesign.
Mary's voice, gentle yetcommanding, broke the silence.
She instructed Catherine to havea medal struck in this image,
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assuring her that those who woreit with faith would receive
abundant graces.
This wasn't just a vision, itwas a mission.
Catherine, a simple novice withno worldly influence, was tasked
with bringing this sacred designinto being, a daunting charge in
a world often skeptical of theunseen.
Yet there was a quiet strengthin her, a resolve forged by
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faith.
She understood the weight ofwhat she'd been given, a symbol
that would become a lifeline forcountless souls seeking Mary's
intercession.
The miraculous medal wasn'tmerely an object, it was a
conduit of hope, a reminder ofthe mother who stands ready to
guide her children throughlife's tempests.
The road to seeing the medalcreated wouldn't be easy.
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Catherine faced doubt andbureaucratic hurdles within her
own community.
Her accounts of the visions metwith cautious scrutiny, but the
clarity of that November nightburned in her memory, a beacon
urging her forward.
This vision wasn't just afleeting dream, it was a divine
blueprint, a call to action thatwould eventually touch millions,
offering solace and strengththrough a small piece of metal
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imbued with heaven's promise.
December eighteen thirty finalencounter and mission entrusted.
In the quiet chill of decembereighteen thirty, Catherine
LaBeret found herself once againin the presence of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, an encounter thatwould seal her mission and alter
the course of countless lives.
(13:08):
This wasn't just another vision,it was the culmination of a
divine directive delivered witha clarity that left no room for
doubt.
Mary appeared standing upon aglobe, her feet crushing a
serpent, a stark symbol oftriumph over evil.
Rays of light streamed from herhands, representing the graces
she longed to pour out on thosewho would ask.
(13:31):
But there was a catch, not allthe rays were shining, some
remained dim, a silent reminderof graces unclaimed, of prayers
unspoken.
Catherine, ever the humbledaughter of the countryside,
stood transfixed as Mary spokewith a tenderness that belied
the weight of her words.
The Blessed Mother entrusted herwith a mission as precise as it
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was profound, to create a medal,a tangible token of devotion
that would carry the imageCatherine now beheld.
On the front Mary's likeness wasto be encircled by the plea, O
Mary, conceived without sin,pray for us who have recourse to
the Otrias.
On the reverse Achis, a crossintertwined with the letter M
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for Mary, surrounded by twelvestars and two hearts, one
pierced by a sword, the othercrowned with thorns.
This wasn't mere artistry, itwas theology and metal, a
reminder of Mary's immaculateconception and her role as
mediatrix of grace.
Mary's instruction wasunflinching.
Have a metal struck after thismodel.
All who wear it will receivegreat graces.
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They should wear it around theneck.
Catherine, a novice with noinfluence or means, must have
felt the enormity of the task,yet there was no hesitation in
the Virgin's voice, no room forsecond guessing.
This was a call to action, ablueprint for a devotion that
would ripple through thefaithful like a stone dropped in
still water.
(15:00):
The miraculous medal, as itwould come to be known, wasn't
just a trinket, it was alifeline, a physical connection
to the mother of God, promisingprotection and intercession to
those who embraced it withfaith.
(15:20):
But Catherine's journey was farfrom over.
The path to fulfilling thismission would test her resolve,
her patience, and her trust inthe unseen.
She would face skepticism,bureaucratic delays, and the
quiet burden of a secret shecould share with only a trusted
few.
Yet in that December moment, asMary's presence lingered in the
chapel air, Catherine knew onething with unshakable certainty
(15:42):
she had been chosen for this,and the graces of the metal
would be a beacon forgenerations yet unborn.
The design of the metal,heaven's symbols, explained.
When Catherine Laboray receivedher visions in 1830, the Blessed
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Virgin Mary didn't just handover a vague idea, she gave a
blueprint straight from heaven,every detail loaded with
purpose.
This wasn't some abstractdoodle, it's a theological
puzzle, a spiritual cheat sheetetched in metal, meant to guide
the faithful through prayer andprotection.
On the front of the metal we'vegot Mary standing on a globe,
(16:29):
her feet crushing a serpent.
Yeah, it's as epic as it sounds,a direct call back to Genesis
315, where God promises enmitybetween the serpent and the
woman.
Mary, as the immaculateconception, is the ultimate foe
of Satan, stomping out sin withevery step.
Her hands are outstretched, raysof light pouring down,
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symbolizing the graces she'sready to shower on anyone who
asks.
Around the edge the inscriptionreads, O Mary, conceived without
sin, pray for us who haverecourse to thee.
It's not just a plea, it's adeclaration of her sinless
nature, a truth Catherine'svisions helped cement just
before the dogma was officiallydefined in 1854.
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Flip the metal over, and you'rehit with a dense cluster of
symbols that could keep atheologian up at night.
At the center, there's a crossintertwined with the letter M,
Mary and Jesus, inseparable intheir mission of redemption.
Beneath it, two hearts, thesacred heart of Jesus crowned
with thorns, and the immaculateheart of Mary pierced by a
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sword, echoing Simeon's prophecyof sorrow.
Surrounding this core are twelvestars, a nod to the woman
crowned with stars in Revelation12, often interpreted as Mary,
the Queen of Heaven.
Every inch of this designscreams intentionality, a
heavenly infographic meant toremind us of sacrifice,
intercession, and ultimatevictory.
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And what's wild is how thismedal isn't just a pretty
trinket, it's a weapon of faith.
Mary herself promised that thosewho wear it with devotion would
receive great graces.
It's like carrying a spiritualpower up, a tangible link to the
divine that's been clutched bymillions, from soldiers in
battle to mothers in prayer, allseeking that heavenly assist.
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The symbols aren't just forshow.
They're a call to meditate onMary's role as mediatrix, as the
one who stands ready tointercede if we only reach out.
From Rue du Bac to the world,promulgation of the medal.
In the quiet heart of Paris onthe unassuming Rue Dubac, a
divine blueprint was handed toCatherine Le Boret in 1830, a
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medal meant to be a beacon ofgrace, the miraculous medal, as
it would come to be known,wasn't just a trinket, it was a
mission, a tangible link to theImmaculate Conception, with Mary
herself promising that all whowear it will receive great
graces.
But how did this small piece ofmetal, etched with heavenly
imagery, leap from the visionsof a humble novice to the necks
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and hearts of millionsworldwide?
Catherine, ever obedient to theVirgin's directive, shared the
design with her confessor,Father Jean-Marie Aladell.
Picture this, a young womanbarely literate in the ways of
the world, recounting acelestial encounter with such
clarity that it couldn't bedismissed as mere fancy.
The design was precise, Marystanding on a globe crushing a
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serpent, rays of grace streamingfrom her hands, surrounded by
the words, O Mary, conceivewithout sin, pray for us who
have recourse to thee on thereverse, a cross intertwined
with an M, flanked by the sacredheart of Jesus and the
Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Father Aladil, though initiallyskeptical, couldn't ignore the
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weight of her conviction.
He took the vision to theArchbishop of Paris, Hyacinth
Louis de Celem, who gave thegreen light for the medal's
creation in 1832.
What followed was nothing shortof a spiritual wildfire.
The first batch of medals struckby the goldsmith Adrian Vachette
began circulating among thefaithful.
Stories of miracles, healings,conversions, protections started
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trickling in, then pouring.
A cholera epidemic ravaged Parisin 1832, and those who wore the
medal reported astonishingdeliverances.
Word spread like gossip in asmall town, but this was no idle
chatter, it was testimony.
By 1834, over five hundredthousand medals had been
distributed, not just in Francebut across Europe, carried by
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missionaries and pilgrims alike.
The daughters of charity,Catherine's own order, became
relentless ambassadors, ensuringthe medal reached the farthest
corners of the Catholic world.
This wasn't just a religiousfad.
The miraculous medal became asymbol of hope in a Europe
battered by revolution andsecularism.
(20:54):
It was a quiet rebellion againstdespair, a reminder that Mary's
intercession was as real as themetal pressed against one's
skin.
People didn't just wear it, theyclung to it, prayed with it,
lived by it.
The medal's reach wasn't limitedto the devout, skeptics too,
found themselves drawn to itspromise, often after witnessing
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inexplicable turns of fortune.
By the end of the nineteenthcentury, tens of millions of
medals had been produced, eachone a tiny echo of that night on
Rue Dubac when heaven touchedearth.
The promulgation of the medalwasn't orchestrated by some
grand marketing scheme, it wasfueled by faith by the raw,
unpolished power of personalstories.
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Every healing, every answeredprayer became a thread in a vast
tapestry of devotion, stretchingfrom Parisian streets to remote
villages halfway across theglobe.
Catherine herself stayed in theshadows, her role unknown to the
world until much later, contentto let Mary's message and the
medal speak for itself.
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Ecclesial approval andtheological significance and
let's dig into the nuts andbolts of how the miraculous
medal gained its standing in theCatholic Church and why it
matters on a deeper level.
After Catherine Labaray'svisions of the Blessed Virgin
Mary in 1830, the Church didn'tjust rubber stamp the whole
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affair, there was scrutiny,serious methodical
investigation, because frankly,claims of divine apparitions
aren't taken lightly.
The Archbishop of Paris,Hyacinth Louis de Calen,
launched an inquiry intoCatherine's accounts, pouring
over her testimony and thecircumstances surrounding the
apparitions at the Rue du BacConvent.
(22:41):
By 1836, after carefulexamination, the church gave its
nod of approval, recognizing thevisions as authentic and the
medals design as a legitimatesacramental.
Now this wasn't just abureaucratic checkbox, ecclesial
approval meant the miraculousmedal could be distributed
widely, and it signaled to thefaithful that this wasn't some
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fleeting fad, but a devotionrooted in something real.
The medal's inscription, O Mary,conceived without sin, pray for
us who have recourse to thee,directly ties to the doctrine of
the Immaculate ConceptionConception, a belief that Mary
was preserved from original sinfrom the moment of her
conception.
This wasn't yet dogma in 1830that would come in 1854 under
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Pope Pius IX, but the medalbecame a kind of theological
foreshadowing, a tangiblereminder of Mary's unique role
in salvation history.
It's like the church was betatesting a profound truth through
this little piece of metal.
Theologically, the miraculousmetal isn't just a trinket, it's
a conduit of grace, or so thefaithful believe.
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Catherine herself reportedMary's promise that those who
wear it with devotion wouldreceive great graces, and
countless stories of healings,conversions, and protections
have been attributed to it overthe centuries.
Think of it as a physicalhyperlink to the divine, a
reminder of Mary's intercessionand a call to trust in her
(24:08):
maternal care.
It's not magic.
The church is clear thatsacramentals like this don't
work ex opera operato by theirown power like sacraments do.
Instead, they're tools thatdispose the wearer to receive
grace through faith and prayer.
That distinction matters,grounding the devotion in a
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theology that's less aboutsuperstition and more about a
living relationship with Godthrough Mary.
On a broader scale, themiraculous medal's significance
lies in its timing.
The nineteenth century was arough patch for the church,
think French Revolutionaftershocks, secularism on the
rise and faith under fire.
Mary's appearance to Catherinewith a message of hope and a
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tangible sign like the medalfelt like a rallying cry to the
faithful.
It was as if heaven was saying,Hold fast, I've got your back.
The medal became a symbol ofresilience, a quiet but powerful
way for Catholics to carry theirdevotion in a world that wasn't
always friendly to it, andthat's not just pious fluff.
(25:13):
It's a historical reality thatshaped how this devotion spread
like wildfire from Paris to thefarthest corners of the globe.
Documented miracles andconversions attributed to the
metal of the Let's dive into thegritty, awe-inspiring reality of
the miraculous metal, a smallpiece of metal that's punched
(25:35):
way above its weight in therealm of divine intervention.
Since its inception in 1830,when the Blessed Virgin Mary
entrusted its design to SaintCatherine Labouret, this metal
has been tied to stories ofhealings, protections, and
straight up life-alteringconversions that defy
skepticism.
(25:55):
These aren't just whispers andchurch pews.
Many of these accounts have beenrigorously documented,
investigated, and preserved astestaments to faith.
Take the case of PaulineJericho, a French laywoman and
founder of the Society for thePropagation of the Faith.
In 1836, she was on death'sdoorstep, battling a severe
(26:15):
heart condition that leftdoctors shaking their heads.
A priest gave her a miraculousmedal, and with a desperate
prayer to our lady, she wore it.
What followed was nothing shortof staggering.
Her condition reversed, bafflingmedical experts who had no
explanation beyond thespiritual.
Her recovery was later examinedand upheld as a miracle linked
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to the medal, a story thatrippled through Catholic circles
and fueled devotion.
Then there's the conversion ofAlphonse Radisbone, a Jewish
banker and avowed atheist who,in 1842, found himself in Rome
with a chip on his shoulderagainst anything remotely
Christian.
A friend, half in jest, daredhim to wear a miraculous metal
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and pray the memorand.
Radisbon, more amused thanconvinced, agreed.
Days later, while visiting thechurch of Sant Andrea de la
Frat, he experienced a vision ofthe Virgin Mary exactly as
depicted on the metal.
The encounter shattered hisworldview.
He fell to his knees, convertedon the spot, and was baptized
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soon after.
His transformation was soprofound that it was
investigated by ecclesiasticalauthorities who deemed it
authentic.
This wasn't just a personalpivot, it became a public
witness to the metal's power.
These stories aren't outliers.
Countless reports from the 19thcentury onward detail
inexplicable healings,tuberculosis vanishing,
(27:41):
blindness reversed, and evenprotection during wars and
disasters.
Soldiers in battle have claimedthe metal shielded them from
bullets, while families creditit for safeguarding their homes
during epidemics.
The church, ever cautious,doesn't rubber stamp every
claim, but the sheer volume oftestimonies, many backed by
medical or historicalcorroboration, builds a case
(28:03):
that's hard to dismiss.
What ties these accountstogether is a threat of
surrender, people at theirlowest grasping for hope,
finding something tangible inthis medal to anchor their
prayers.
It's not magic, it's a conduit,a reminder of Mary's
intercession and God's grace.
The miraculous medal doesn'tjust sit pretty on a chain, it's
been a catalyst for theimpossible, a quiet revolution
(28:26):
in the lives of the faithful whodare to believe.
The miraculous medal in theVincentian family tradition.
Let's dive into the heart of aspiritual legacy that's as
gritty and real as any underdogstory.
The miraculous medal revealed toSaint Catherine Labre in 1830
isn't just a piece of devotionalbling, it's a cornerstone of the
(28:49):
Vincentian family's mission, atangible link to the grit and
grace of serving the poor.
Catherine, a daughter ofcharity, wasn't some lofty
mystic floating above thestruggles of the world.
She was a worker, a servant,grounded in the Vincentian
charism of humility and charityshaped by the teachings of Saint
Vincent de Paul and Saint Louisede Mariac.
(29:12):
Her visions of Our Lady weren'tabstract daydreams, they were a
call to action, a blueprint fora medal that would become a
lifeline for the faithful.
The design of the miraculousmedal dictated by the Blessed
Mother herself is packed withmeaning, every detail a reminder
of the Vincentian commitment tothe marginalized.
(29:34):
On one side, Mary stands on aglobe, crushing the serpent,
with rays of grace streamingfrom her hands.
It's a raw, powerful image.
God's mercy isn't passive, it'sactive, reaching down to the
broken and the lost.
Flip the metal over, and you'vegot the sacred heart of Jesus
and the immaculate heart of Maryside by side, pierced and aflame
(29:57):
with love.
Then there's the M intertwined.
With a cross, a nod to Mary'srole at the foot of Calvary, a
role the Vincentians take toheart in their own mission to
stand with the suffering.
For the Vincentian family, thismedal isn't just a keepsake,
it's a weapon in the spiritualtrenches.
From the moment it was struck,stories of healings,
conversions, and protectionstarted pouring in, tales of
(30:20):
real people down in the dirt oflife, finding hope through this
small piece of metal.
The daughters of charity and thecongregation of the mission
didn't just promote the metal,they lived it, distributing it
among the poor they served,seeing it as a way to bring the
Immaculate Conception'sintercession to those who needed
it most.
This wasn't about piety forpiety's sake, it was about
(30:42):
meeting people where they werein their pain and poverty, and
offering a sign of God'snearness.
The Vincentian tradition at itscore is about getting your hands
dirty for the gospel, and themiraculous metal became a
perfect embodiment of that.
It's a quiet but fierce reminderthat Mary, the first disciple,
(31:04):
is always pointing to Christ,always interceding for the least
of these.
Catherine Labour herself stayedin the background, never seeking
fame for the vision shereceived, mirroring the
vincentian ethos of humbleservice.
Her life and the metal sheintroduced to the world are a
challenge to all of us to seethe divine and the everyday
(31:26):
grind to carry grace into themessiest corners of humanity.
A lasting legacy of faith withthe miraculous medal.
Browse our miraculous metalcollection.
As we reflect on theextraordinary life of Catherine
Labaray and the divine gift ofthe miraculous metal, we're
reminded that faith isn't just aquiet whisper, it's a roaring
(31:48):
call to action.
Through her humble obedience,Catherine became a vessel for
Mary's message, offering theworld a tangible symbol of grace
and protection.
Here at Journeys of Faith Incir,we're inspired by her story to
keep digging into the rich soilof Catholic heritage, unearthing
treasures like these Marianapparitions that connect us to
(32:10):
the divine.
We invite you to carry themiraculous medal not just as a
token, but as a challenge, tolive with the same trust and
devotion Catherine embodied.
Whether you're joining us on apilgrimage to sacred sites or
diving into our books andstreaming resources, let her
example guide you closer toChrist through Mary.
Our mission, rooted instorytelling and evangelization
(32:32):
since 1980, is to make thesemiracles accessible to every
Catholic heart.
So take up the medal, embracethe journey, and let faith
transform your life one grace ata time.
FAQs about Marian apparitions,Catherine Labour and the
miraculous medal.
Who was Catherine Labor?
(32:53):
Catherine Labour was a humbleFrench nun of the Daughters of
Charity born in 1806 in FeinlayMoutier, France.
Raised in a devout Catholicfamily, she felt a deep calling
to religious life afterexperiencing a vision of Saint
Vincent de Paul, who urged herto care for the sick and poor.
Joining the order at the age oftwenty four, Catherine lived a
quiet life of service largelyunknown to the world until her
(33:16):
extraordinary encounters withthe Blessed Virgin Mary changed
the course of her life andCatholic devotion forever.
When did Catherine Laborexperience her Marian
apparitions?
Catherine Labor experienced herMarian apparitions in eighteen
thirty, a pivotal year in herspiritual journey.
(33:38):
The first apparition occurred onthe night of july eighteenth to
nineteenth, when she wasawakened by a child, believed to
be her guardian angel, who ledher to the chapel for a profound
encounter with the Virgin Mary.
Subsequent apparitions followed,most notably on November 27,
when the design of themiraculous medal was revealed to
(34:02):
her.
Where did the apparitions toCatherine Labor take place?
The apparitions took place inthe Chapel of the Daughters of
Charity Convent at Rue du Bac inParis, France.
This sacred space, now known asthe Chapel of Our Lady of the
Miraculous Medal, became a focalpoint of pilgrimage for
Catholics worldwide.
(34:22):
Journeys of Faith Inc.
often highlights Rue du Bac as amust-visit destination for those
seeking to walk in the footstepsof saints and witness the power
of Marian devotion.
What is the miraculous medal?
The miraculous medal is a smalldevotional medal, originally
known as the Medal of theImmaculate Conception, designed
(34:44):
based on the vision CatherineLabor received from the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
It serves as a tangible reminderof Mary's intercession and
protection worn by millions ofCatholics as a symbol of faith
and a source of spiritualstrength.
Its design includes specificimagery and inscriptions that
carry deep theological meaning.
(35:05):
How is the miraculous metalconnected to Catherine Labor?
The miraculous medal is directlyconnected to Catherine Labour
through the apparitions sheexperienced in 1830.
During the vision on November27, the Virgin Mary appeared to
Catherine standing on a globewith rays of light streaming
from her hands and instructedher to create a medal based on
(35:28):
this image.
Mary promised that those whowore the medal with devotion
would receive great graces, amessage Catherine faithfully
carried forward despite herdesire for anonymity.
What year did the miraculousmetal apparition occur?
The specific apparitionrevealing the design of the
miraculous medal occurred in1830 on November 27th.
(35:52):
This event marked a turningpoint in Catherine's life and in
the history of Catholic devotionas the medal quickly spread
across the world, becoming oneof the most beloved sacramentals
in the church.
What did the Virgin Mary say toCatherine Labor?
During the apparitions, theVirgin Mary spoke words of
(36:13):
comfort and mission toCatherine.
In the first encounter on July18th to 19, Mary shared insights
into future hardships for Franceand the church, urging prayer
and trust in God.
On November 27th, during thevision of the medal, Mary
instructed Catherine with thewords that would encircle the
medal.
O Mary, conceived without sin,pray for us who have recourse to
(36:36):
thee.
She also promised that all whowear this medal will receive
great graces, emphasizing herrole as a loving intercessor.
What symbols are depicted on themiraculous medal?
The miraculous medal is richwith symbolism.
On the front, Mary stands on aglobe, crushing a serpent
beneath her feet, representingher victory over sin and Satan.
(36:59):
Rays of light emanate from herhand, symbolizing the graces she
bestows.
The inscription, O Mary,conceived without sin, pray for
us who have recourse to thee,surrounds her.
On the reverse, a crossintertwined with the letter M
signifies Mary's connection toChrist's sacrifice, while twelve
(37:21):
stars represent the apostles orthe church, and two hearts, one
pierced by a sword, Mary's, andone crowned with thorns, Jesus,
depict their shared sufferingand love.
Why is it called the MiraculousMedal?
The medal earned the nameMiraculous Medal due to the
(37:41):
numerous miracles, healings, andconversions reported by those
who wore it with faith.
Initially called the Medal ofthe Immaculate Conception, its
reputation for facilitatingextraordinary graces spread
rapidly after its creation in1832, leading to the popular
title that reflects the awe andgratitude of the faithful.
(38:04):
What miracles are associatedwith the miraculous medal?
Countless miracles have beenattributed to the miraculous
medal since its inception.
One of the earliest and mostfamous is the conversion of
Alphonse Ratisbon, a Jewishagnostic who in 1842 experienced
a vision of Mary as depicted onthe medal while in Rome, leading
(38:27):
to his immediate conversion toCatholicism.
Stories of physical healings,protection from danger, and
spiritual transformationsabound, reinforcing the medal's
reputation.
At Journeys of Faith Inquiry, wecelebrate these testimonies as
powerful reminders of Mary'sintercession and encourage
Catholics to explore thisdevotion as a pathway to deeper
(38:50):
faith.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for the full
article.
Welcome to Journeys of Faith.
(00:03):
Welcome to Journeys of Faith.
Brother Joseph Frey Aldenhovenhere.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for the full
article.
Marian Apparitions, CatherineLaBouray, and the Miraculous
Metal.
In the quiet heart of nineteenthcentury Paris, a young novice
named Catherine Labouret foundherself at the center of a
(00:24):
divine mystery that would ripplethrough the Catholic world for
generations.
Her story, one of humble fateand celestial visions, isn't
just a footnote in churchhistory, it's a living testament
to the power of Marian devotion,a beacon for pilgrims and
believers seeking theintercession of the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
(00:45):
Here at Journeys of Faith, Inc.,we're dedicated to uncovering
these sacred narratives, divingdeep into the lives of saints
and the miracles that define ourCatholic heritage.
Since our founding in 1980 byBob and Penny Lord, our mission
has been to inspire and educatethrough authentic storytelling,
(01:06):
pilgrimages, and resources thatbring the wonders of our faith
to life.
Catherine Laboray's encounterwith the Virgin Mary in 1830
wasn't just a personalrevelation, it birthed the
miraculous medal, a sacramentalthat countless Catholics have
worn as a shield of grace, atangible link to Mary's promise
(01:26):
of protection.
This isn't mere folklore ordusty legend, it's a chapter of
our shared spiritual journey,one that speaks to the heart of
Mary and apparitions and theirenduring impact.
Whether you're a lifelongdevotee or a curious soul
exploring the depths of Catholictradition, Catherine's story
invites us all to reflect on theways the divine intersects with
(01:47):
the ordinary.
Join us as we trace her pathfrom the silent cloisters of the
Daughters of Charity to theglobal devotion sparked by her
visions, and discover how themiraculous metal continues to be
a source of hope and healing formillions.
Through the lens of journeys offaith, let's walk this sacred
ground together, inspired by ourmotto to deepen understanding
(02:10):
and devotion through the powerof pilgrimage and storytelling.
Early life and spiritualformation of Saint Catherine
LaBeret.
In the Rolling Hills ofBurgundy, France on May 2, 1806,
a girl named Zoe Le Bure wasborn into a world of toil and
faith, the ninth of elevenchildren in a farming family.
(02:33):
Her early life wasn't marked bydivine visions or heavenly
choirs, at least not yet.
Instead, it was shaped by thegritty reality of loss and
labor.
Her mother died when Zoe wasjust nine, thrusting her into a
role of caretaker for heryounger siblings while her
father worked the fields.
Picture a child barely oldenough to grasp her own grief,
stepping into a mother's shoes,kneading bread and tending to
(02:54):
scrape knees with a quietresolve that would later define
her sainthood, but faith was theheartbeat of the laboret
household a steady rhythm amidstthe chaos.
Zoe's father, though stern andweathered by life, instilled in
her a deep reverence for thechurch.
She often slipped away to thelocal chapel, a sanctuary of
stillness where she could kneelbefore the Blessed Virgin Mary,
(03:19):
her spiritual mother in theabsence of her earthly one.
It's here, in these stolenmoments of prayer, that you can
almost see the seas of hervocation taking root, though she
couldn't have known theextraordinary path ahead.
At eighteen, after a dream inwhich Saint Vincent de Paul
beckoned her to a life ofservice, Zoe felt the pull
(03:40):
toward religious life, a callshe couldn't ignore even if she
tried.
Her father, however, wasn't keenon losing another pair of hands
to the convent.
He sent her to Paris to work inher brother's restaurant, hoping
the bustle of city life woulddrown out her spiritual longing.
But Paris, with its noise andgrit, only sharpened her focus.
(04:01):
Zoe, now in her early twenties,pushed back against the mundane,
her heart still tethered to thatchapel in Burgundy.
In 1830, she finally entered theDaughters of Charity of Sign to
Vincent de Paul, taking the nameCatherine.
This wasn't just a name change,it was a transformation.
Her formation as a novice wasmarked by humility and
(04:22):
discipline, a stripping away ofself in service to others.
She worked in a hospice, tendingto the poor and elderly, her
hands calloused but her spiritalight with purpose.
Little did she know the motherof God was about to step into
her quiet life with a missionthat would echo through
centuries.
Join us on a journey of faithwith journeys of faith
(04:44):
incorporated.
Hey there, fellow seekers of thedivine.
If the story of CatherineLaboray and the miraculous metal
has stirred something in yoursoul, let's take this journey
deeper together.
At Journeys of Faith Incorrer,we've been guiding Catholics
like you since 1980, uncoveringthe miracles and mysteries of
our faith through authenticpilgrimages and powerful
(05:06):
storytelling.
Founded by Bob and Penny Lord,our mission is to inspire and
educate, helping you grow closerto Christ through the rich
heritage of the Church.
Browse our miraculous metalcollection.
Here's how you can dive in withus.
Embark on a pilgrimage.
Walk in the footsteps of saintsand visionaries at holy shrines
(05:27):
worldwide, experiencing thetransformative power of Marian
devotion firsthand.
Explore our resources from bookslike This Is My Body, This Is My
Blood, to streaming content andretreats.
Our multimedia library bringsmiracles and saints' lives to
your home.
Join our community, connect withfellow Catholics through our
programs, and share in the aweof God's wonders.
(05:49):
Don't just read about faith,live it.
Visit our website today and letjourneys of faith guide you to a
deeper devotion.
Let's uncover the divinetogether.
France in 1830, social andreligious context for the
apparitions of let's set thestage.
France in 1830 was a nationstaggering under the weight of
(06:10):
its own history, a country stillreeling from the aftershocks of
revolution and empire.
The French Revolution of 1789had upended everything monarchy,
church, and the very fabric ofsociety, leaving a legacy of
secularism that clashed hardagainst the deep Catholic roots
of the people.
(06:30):
By the time Catherine Labouretexperienced her visions, France
was a pressure cooker ofpolitical upheaval and spiritual
hunger.
The July Revolution of 1830,which unfolded just months
before the apparitions, saw theoverthrow of King Charles II and
the rise of the more liberalLouis Philippe I barricades went
(06:52):
up in Paris, blood stained thestreets, and the air was thick
with uncertainty.
For many it felt like the worldwas unmoored.
Religiously the landscape wasjust as turbulent.
The Catholic Church, once thebedrock of French identity, had
been battered by decades ofanti-clerical policies,
monasteries and convents hadbeen shuttered during the
(07:12):
Revolution, priests forced intohiding or exile, and the
faithful often left withoutshepherds.
Yet beneath the surface therewas a quiet, stubborn
resurgence.
Devotion to the Virgin Mary inparticular was a lifeline for
many French Catholics, a way tocling to hope amid chaos,
(07:34):
confraternities and laymovements dedicated to Mary were
gaining traction, and thelonging for divine intervention
was palpable.
People were desperate for asign, a whisper from heaven that
God hadn't abandoned them.
Into this fractured worldstepped Catherine Le Boret, a
young daughter of charityserving in a Paris convent.
Her visions of the BlessedVirgin Mary in November of 1830
(07:58):
didn't happen in a vacuum, theywere a response to a society
crying out for healing.
Mary's message, deliveredthrough the miraculous metal,
promised grace and protection tothose who sought it, a tangible
lifeline for a people batteredby loss and division.
The timing wasn't coincidence,it was Providence, speaking
directly to the wounds of anation.
(08:20):
The night of July 18th, thefirst visit of Our Lady.
In the stillness of a Parisnight, something extraordinary
unfolded on July 18, 1830,within the humble walls of the
Daughters of Charity Convent onRue Dubac, Catherine Labouret, a
young novice still finding herfooting in her vocation, was
roused from sleep by a voice, achild's voice, urgent and
(08:42):
tender, calling her name.
It was no dream, no trick of aweary mind.
This was real, as real as thewooden floor beneath her feet as
she followed the mysterioussummons to the chapel.
There, in the flickering glow ofcandlelight, Catherine beheld a
sight that would forever alterthe course of her life and
ripple through the faith ofmillions.
The Blessed Virgin Mary stoodbefore her, radiant and serene,
(09:06):
her presence both a comfort anda call to action.
Our lady spoke with a claritythat pierced the heart,
entrusting Catherine with amission of profound importance.
She warned of turbulent timesahead for France and the world,
prophecies of suffering andupheaval that would soon prove
true, but amidst the foretolddarkness Mary offered a beacon
(09:30):
of hope, a promise of grace forthose who would turn to her.
Yet this first apparition wasintimate, almost personal, as if
Mary had chosen Catherine notfor her stature or eloquence,
but for her quiet humility, herwillingness to listen.
The young novice knelt in awe,absorbing every word, every
gesture as the mother of Godlaid the groundwork for what was
(09:53):
to come.
It wasn't just a vision, it wasa commissioning, a sacred charge
that would test Catherine'sfaith and obedience in ways she
could scarcely imagine.
That night, the seeds of themiraculous metal were planted,
though the full design of Mary'splan remained a mystery, waiting
to unfold in the encounters thatfollowed.
(10:16):
November twenty seventh Visionthe Miraculous Metal revealed in
the quiet, hallowed halls of theDaughters of Charity Convent in
Paris, on the night of novembertwenty seventh, eighteen thirty,
Catherine Laboret found herselfdrawn into a moment that would
ripple through the history ofCatholic devotion.
(10:37):
She was no stranger to thesupernatural, by then earlier
visions of the Virgin Mary hadalready stirred her humble
heart, but this night wasdifferent.
This was the night when themiraculous metal, a tangible
symbol of divine grace, would beunveiled to the world through
her eyes.
(10:57):
As Catherine knelt in prayer,the air seemed to shimmer with a
holy presence.
Mary appeared standing on aglobe, rays of light streaming
from her hands, a vision ofmaternal power and compassion.
Around her an oval frame borethe words, O Mary, conceived
without sin, pray for us whohave recourse to thee.
It was a plea and a promise,etched into the very fabric of
(11:21):
the moment.
Then as if time itself paused,the image rotated, revealing a
cross intertwined with theletter M, flanked by the sacred
heart of Jesus and theImmaculate Heart of Mary, with
twelve stars encircling thedesign.
Mary's voice, gentle yetcommanding, broke the silence.
She instructed Catherine to havea medal struck in this image,
(11:42):
assuring her that those who woreit with faith would receive
abundant graces.
This wasn't just a vision, itwas a mission.
Catherine, a simple novice withno worldly influence, was tasked
with bringing this sacred designinto being, a daunting charge in
a world often skeptical of theunseen.
Yet there was a quiet strengthin her, a resolve forged by
(12:05):
faith.
She understood the weight ofwhat she'd been given, a symbol
that would become a lifeline forcountless souls seeking Mary's
intercession.
The miraculous medal wasn'tmerely an object, it was a
conduit of hope, a reminder ofthe mother who stands ready to
guide her children throughlife's tempests.
The road to seeing the medalcreated wouldn't be easy.
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Catherine faced doubt andbureaucratic hurdles within her
own community.
Her accounts of the visions metwith cautious scrutiny, but the
clarity of that November nightburned in her memory, a beacon
urging her forward.
This vision wasn't just afleeting dream, it was a divine
blueprint, a call to action thatwould eventually touch millions,
offering solace and strengththrough a small piece of metal
(12:47):
imbued with heaven's promise.
December eighteen thirty finalencounter and mission entrusted.
In the quiet chill of decembereighteen thirty, Catherine
LaBeret found herself once againin the presence of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, an encounter thatwould seal her mission and alter
the course of countless lives.
(13:08):
This wasn't just another vision,it was the culmination of a
divine directive delivered witha clarity that left no room for
doubt.
Mary appeared standing upon aglobe, her feet crushing a
serpent, a stark symbol oftriumph over evil.
Rays of light streamed from herhands, representing the graces
she longed to pour out on thosewho would ask.
(13:31):
But there was a catch, not allthe rays were shining, some
remained dim, a silent reminderof graces unclaimed, of prayers
unspoken.
Catherine, ever the humbledaughter of the countryside,
stood transfixed as Mary spokewith a tenderness that belied
the weight of her words.
The Blessed Mother entrusted herwith a mission as precise as it
(13:53):
was profound, to create a medal,a tangible token of devotion
that would carry the imageCatherine now beheld.
On the front Mary's likeness wasto be encircled by the plea, O
Mary, conceived without sin,pray for us who have recourse to
the Otrias.
On the reverse Achis, a crossintertwined with the letter M
(14:18):
for Mary, surrounded by twelvestars and two hearts, one
pierced by a sword, the othercrowned with thorns.
This wasn't mere artistry, itwas theology and metal, a
reminder of Mary's immaculateconception and her role as
mediatrix of grace.
Mary's instruction wasunflinching.
Have a metal struck after thismodel.
All who wear it will receivegreat graces.
(14:39):
They should wear it around theneck.
Catherine, a novice with noinfluence or means, must have
felt the enormity of the task,yet there was no hesitation in
the Virgin's voice, no room forsecond guessing.
This was a call to action, ablueprint for a devotion that
would ripple through thefaithful like a stone dropped in
still water.
(15:00):
The miraculous medal, as itwould come to be known, wasn't
just a trinket, it was alifeline, a physical connection
to the mother of God, promisingprotection and intercession to
those who embraced it withfaith.
(15:20):
But Catherine's journey was farfrom over.
The path to fulfilling thismission would test her resolve,
her patience, and her trust inthe unseen.
She would face skepticism,bureaucratic delays, and the
quiet burden of a secret shecould share with only a trusted
few.
Yet in that December moment, asMary's presence lingered in the
chapel air, Catherine knew onething with unshakable certainty
(15:42):
she had been chosen for this,and the graces of the metal
would be a beacon forgenerations yet unborn.
The design of the metal,heaven's symbols, explained.
When Catherine Laboray receivedher visions in 1830, the Blessed
(16:06):
Virgin Mary didn't just handover a vague idea, she gave a
blueprint straight from heaven,every detail loaded with
purpose.
This wasn't some abstractdoodle, it's a theological
puzzle, a spiritual cheat sheetetched in metal, meant to guide
the faithful through prayer andprotection.
On the front of the metal we'vegot Mary standing on a globe,
(16:29):
her feet crushing a serpent.
Yeah, it's as epic as it sounds,a direct call back to Genesis
315, where God promises enmitybetween the serpent and the
woman.
Mary, as the immaculateconception, is the ultimate foe
of Satan, stomping out sin withevery step.
Her hands are outstretched, raysof light pouring down,
(16:51):
symbolizing the graces she'sready to shower on anyone who
asks.
Around the edge the inscriptionreads, O Mary, conceived without
sin, pray for us who haverecourse to thee.
It's not just a plea, it's adeclaration of her sinless
nature, a truth Catherine'svisions helped cement just
before the dogma was officiallydefined in 1854.
(17:13):
Flip the metal over, and you'rehit with a dense cluster of
symbols that could keep atheologian up at night.
At the center, there's a crossintertwined with the letter M,
Mary and Jesus, inseparable intheir mission of redemption.
Beneath it, two hearts, thesacred heart of Jesus crowned
with thorns, and the immaculateheart of Mary pierced by a
(17:34):
sword, echoing Simeon's prophecyof sorrow.
Surrounding this core are twelvestars, a nod to the woman
crowned with stars in Revelation12, often interpreted as Mary,
the Queen of Heaven.
Every inch of this designscreams intentionality, a
heavenly infographic meant toremind us of sacrifice,
intercession, and ultimatevictory.
(17:54):
And what's wild is how thismedal isn't just a pretty
trinket, it's a weapon of faith.
Mary herself promised that thosewho wear it with devotion would
receive great graces.
It's like carrying a spiritualpower up, a tangible link to the
divine that's been clutched bymillions, from soldiers in
battle to mothers in prayer, allseeking that heavenly assist.
(18:17):
The symbols aren't just forshow.
They're a call to meditate onMary's role as mediatrix, as the
one who stands ready tointercede if we only reach out.
From Rue du Bac to the world,promulgation of the medal.
In the quiet heart of Paris onthe unassuming Rue Dubac, a
divine blueprint was handed toCatherine Le Boret in 1830, a
(18:40):
medal meant to be a beacon ofgrace, the miraculous medal, as
it would come to be known,wasn't just a trinket, it was a
mission, a tangible link to theImmaculate Conception, with Mary
herself promising that all whowear it will receive great
graces.
But how did this small piece ofmetal, etched with heavenly
imagery, leap from the visionsof a humble novice to the necks
(19:02):
and hearts of millionsworldwide?
Catherine, ever obedient to theVirgin's directive, shared the
design with her confessor,Father Jean-Marie Aladell.
Picture this, a young womanbarely literate in the ways of
the world, recounting acelestial encounter with such
clarity that it couldn't bedismissed as mere fancy.
The design was precise, Marystanding on a globe crushing a
(19:25):
serpent, rays of grace streamingfrom her hands, surrounded by
the words, O Mary, conceivewithout sin, pray for us who
have recourse to thee on thereverse, a cross intertwined
with an M, flanked by the sacredheart of Jesus and the
Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Father Aladil, though initiallyskeptical, couldn't ignore the
(19:48):
weight of her conviction.
He took the vision to theArchbishop of Paris, Hyacinth
Louis de Celem, who gave thegreen light for the medal's
creation in 1832.
What followed was nothing shortof a spiritual wildfire.
The first batch of medals struckby the goldsmith Adrian Vachette
began circulating among thefaithful.
Stories of miracles, healings,conversions, protections started
(20:11):
trickling in, then pouring.
A cholera epidemic ravaged Parisin 1832, and those who wore the
medal reported astonishingdeliverances.
Word spread like gossip in asmall town, but this was no idle
chatter, it was testimony.
By 1834, over five hundredthousand medals had been
distributed, not just in Francebut across Europe, carried by
(20:33):
missionaries and pilgrims alike.
The daughters of charity,Catherine's own order, became
relentless ambassadors, ensuringthe medal reached the farthest
corners of the Catholic world.
This wasn't just a religiousfad.
The miraculous medal became asymbol of hope in a Europe
battered by revolution andsecularism.
(20:54):
It was a quiet rebellion againstdespair, a reminder that Mary's
intercession was as real as themetal pressed against one's
skin.
People didn't just wear it, theyclung to it, prayed with it,
lived by it.
The medal's reach wasn't limitedto the devout, skeptics too,
found themselves drawn to itspromise, often after witnessing
(21:15):
inexplicable turns of fortune.
By the end of the nineteenthcentury, tens of millions of
medals had been produced, eachone a tiny echo of that night on
Rue Dubac when heaven touchedearth.
The promulgation of the medalwasn't orchestrated by some
grand marketing scheme, it wasfueled by faith by the raw,
unpolished power of personalstories.
(21:38):
Every healing, every answeredprayer became a thread in a vast
tapestry of devotion, stretchingfrom Parisian streets to remote
villages halfway across theglobe.
Catherine herself stayed in theshadows, her role unknown to the
world until much later, contentto let Mary's message and the
medal speak for itself.
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Ecclesial approval andtheological significance and
let's dig into the nuts andbolts of how the miraculous
medal gained its standing in theCatholic Church and why it
matters on a deeper level.
After Catherine Labaray'svisions of the Blessed Virgin
Mary in 1830, the Church didn'tjust rubber stamp the whole
(22:20):
affair, there was scrutiny,serious methodical
investigation, because frankly,claims of divine apparitions
aren't taken lightly.
The Archbishop of Paris,Hyacinth Louis de Calen,
launched an inquiry intoCatherine's accounts, pouring
over her testimony and thecircumstances surrounding the
apparitions at the Rue du BacConvent.
(22:41):
By 1836, after carefulexamination, the church gave its
nod of approval, recognizing thevisions as authentic and the
medals design as a legitimatesacramental.
Now this wasn't just abureaucratic checkbox, ecclesial
approval meant the miraculousmedal could be distributed
widely, and it signaled to thefaithful that this wasn't some
(23:04):
fleeting fad, but a devotionrooted in something real.
The medal's inscription, O Mary,conceived without sin, pray for
us who have recourse to thee,directly ties to the doctrine of
the Immaculate ConceptionConception, a belief that Mary
was preserved from original sinfrom the moment of her
conception.
This wasn't yet dogma in 1830that would come in 1854 under
(23:27):
Pope Pius IX, but the medalbecame a kind of theological
foreshadowing, a tangiblereminder of Mary's unique role
in salvation history.
It's like the church was betatesting a profound truth through
this little piece of metal.
Theologically, the miraculousmetal isn't just a trinket, it's
a conduit of grace, or so thefaithful believe.
(23:47):
Catherine herself reportedMary's promise that those who
wear it with devotion wouldreceive great graces, and
countless stories of healings,conversions, and protections
have been attributed to it overthe centuries.
Think of it as a physicalhyperlink to the divine, a
reminder of Mary's intercessionand a call to trust in her
(24:08):
maternal care.
It's not magic.
The church is clear thatsacramentals like this don't
work ex opera operato by theirown power like sacraments do.
Instead, they're tools thatdispose the wearer to receive
grace through faith and prayer.
That distinction matters,grounding the devotion in a
(24:29):
theology that's less aboutsuperstition and more about a
living relationship with Godthrough Mary.
On a broader scale, themiraculous medal's significance
lies in its timing.
The nineteenth century was arough patch for the church,
think French Revolutionaftershocks, secularism on the
rise and faith under fire.
Mary's appearance to Catherinewith a message of hope and a
(24:52):
tangible sign like the medalfelt like a rallying cry to the
faithful.
It was as if heaven was saying,Hold fast, I've got your back.
The medal became a symbol ofresilience, a quiet but powerful
way for Catholics to carry theirdevotion in a world that wasn't
always friendly to it, andthat's not just pious fluff.
(25:13):
It's a historical reality thatshaped how this devotion spread
like wildfire from Paris to thefarthest corners of the globe.
Documented miracles andconversions attributed to the
metal of the Let's dive into thegritty, awe-inspiring reality of
the miraculous metal, a smallpiece of metal that's punched
(25:35):
way above its weight in therealm of divine intervention.
Since its inception in 1830,when the Blessed Virgin Mary
entrusted its design to SaintCatherine Labouret, this metal
has been tied to stories ofhealings, protections, and
straight up life-alteringconversions that defy
skepticism.
(25:55):
These aren't just whispers andchurch pews.
Many of these accounts have beenrigorously documented,
investigated, and preserved astestaments to faith.
Take the case of PaulineJericho, a French laywoman and
founder of the Society for thePropagation of the Faith.
In 1836, she was on death'sdoorstep, battling a severe
(26:15):
heart condition that leftdoctors shaking their heads.
A priest gave her a miraculousmedal, and with a desperate
prayer to our lady, she wore it.
What followed was nothing shortof staggering.
Her condition reversed, bafflingmedical experts who had no
explanation beyond thespiritual.
Her recovery was later examinedand upheld as a miracle linked
(26:37):
to the medal, a story thatrippled through Catholic circles
and fueled devotion.
Then there's the conversion ofAlphonse Radisbone, a Jewish
banker and avowed atheist who,in 1842, found himself in Rome
with a chip on his shoulderagainst anything remotely
Christian.
A friend, half in jest, daredhim to wear a miraculous metal
(26:58):
and pray the memorand.
Radisbon, more amused thanconvinced, agreed.
Days later, while visiting thechurch of Sant Andrea de la
Frat, he experienced a vision ofthe Virgin Mary exactly as
depicted on the metal.
The encounter shattered hisworldview.
He fell to his knees, convertedon the spot, and was baptized
(27:20):
soon after.
His transformation was soprofound that it was
investigated by ecclesiasticalauthorities who deemed it
authentic.
This wasn't just a personalpivot, it became a public
witness to the metal's power.
These stories aren't outliers.
Countless reports from the 19thcentury onward detail
inexplicable healings,tuberculosis vanishing,
(27:41):
blindness reversed, and evenprotection during wars and
disasters.
Soldiers in battle have claimedthe metal shielded them from
bullets, while families creditit for safeguarding their homes
during epidemics.
The church, ever cautious,doesn't rubber stamp every
claim, but the sheer volume oftestimonies, many backed by
medical or historicalcorroboration, builds a case
(28:03):
that's hard to dismiss.
What ties these accountstogether is a threat of
surrender, people at theirlowest grasping for hope,
finding something tangible inthis medal to anchor their
prayers.
It's not magic, it's a conduit,a reminder of Mary's
intercession and God's grace.
The miraculous medal doesn'tjust sit pretty on a chain, it's
been a catalyst for theimpossible, a quiet revolution
(28:26):
in the lives of the faithful whodare to believe.
The miraculous medal in theVincentian family tradition.
Let's dive into the heart of aspiritual legacy that's as
gritty and real as any underdogstory.
The miraculous medal revealed toSaint Catherine Labre in 1830
isn't just a piece of devotionalbling, it's a cornerstone of the
(28:49):
Vincentian family's mission, atangible link to the grit and
grace of serving the poor.
Catherine, a daughter ofcharity, wasn't some lofty
mystic floating above thestruggles of the world.
She was a worker, a servant,grounded in the Vincentian
charism of humility and charityshaped by the teachings of Saint
Vincent de Paul and Saint Louisede Mariac.
(29:12):
Her visions of Our Lady weren'tabstract daydreams, they were a
call to action, a blueprint fora medal that would become a
lifeline for the faithful.
The design of the miraculousmedal dictated by the Blessed
Mother herself is packed withmeaning, every detail a reminder
of the Vincentian commitment tothe marginalized.
(29:34):
On one side, Mary stands on aglobe, crushing the serpent,
with rays of grace streamingfrom her hands.
It's a raw, powerful image.
God's mercy isn't passive, it'sactive, reaching down to the
broken and the lost.
Flip the metal over, and you'vegot the sacred heart of Jesus
and the immaculate heart of Maryside by side, pierced and aflame
(29:57):
with love.
Then there's the M intertwined.
With a cross, a nod to Mary'srole at the foot of Calvary, a
role the Vincentians take toheart in their own mission to
stand with the suffering.
For the Vincentian family, thismedal isn't just a keepsake,
it's a weapon in the spiritualtrenches.
From the moment it was struck,stories of healings,
conversions, and protectionstarted pouring in, tales of
(30:20):
real people down in the dirt oflife, finding hope through this
small piece of metal.
The daughters of charity and thecongregation of the mission
didn't just promote the metal,they lived it, distributing it
among the poor they served,seeing it as a way to bring the
Immaculate Conception'sintercession to those who needed
it most.
This wasn't about piety forpiety's sake, it was about
(30:42):
meeting people where they werein their pain and poverty, and
offering a sign of God'snearness.
The Vincentian tradition at itscore is about getting your hands
dirty for the gospel, and themiraculous metal became a
perfect embodiment of that.
It's a quiet but fierce reminderthat Mary, the first disciple,
(31:04):
is always pointing to Christ,always interceding for the least
of these.
Catherine Labour herself stayedin the background, never seeking
fame for the vision shereceived, mirroring the
vincentian ethos of humbleservice.
Her life and the metal sheintroduced to the world are a
challenge to all of us to seethe divine and the everyday
(31:26):
grind to carry grace into themessiest corners of humanity.
A lasting legacy of faith withthe miraculous medal.
Browse our miraculous metalcollection.
As we reflect on theextraordinary life of Catherine
Labaray and the divine gift ofthe miraculous metal, we're
reminded that faith isn't just aquiet whisper, it's a roaring
(31:48):
call to action.
Through her humble obedience,Catherine became a vessel for
Mary's message, offering theworld a tangible symbol of grace
and protection.
Here at Journeys of Faith Incir,we're inspired by her story to
keep digging into the rich soilof Catholic heritage, unearthing
treasures like these Marianapparitions that connect us to
(32:10):
the divine.
We invite you to carry themiraculous medal not just as a
token, but as a challenge, tolive with the same trust and
devotion Catherine embodied.
Whether you're joining us on apilgrimage to sacred sites or
diving into our books andstreaming resources, let her
example guide you closer toChrist through Mary.
Our mission, rooted instorytelling and evangelization
(32:32):
since 1980, is to make thesemiracles accessible to every
Catholic heart.
So take up the medal, embracethe journey, and let faith
transform your life one grace ata time.
FAQs about Marian apparitions,Catherine Labour and the
miraculous medal.
Who was Catherine Labor?
(32:53):
Catherine Labour was a humbleFrench nun of the Daughters of
Charity born in 1806 in FeinlayMoutier, France.
Raised in a devout Catholicfamily, she felt a deep calling
to religious life afterexperiencing a vision of Saint
Vincent de Paul, who urged herto care for the sick and poor.
Joining the order at the age oftwenty four, Catherine lived a
quiet life of service largelyunknown to the world until her
(33:16):
extraordinary encounters withthe Blessed Virgin Mary changed
the course of her life andCatholic devotion forever.
When did Catherine Laborexperience her Marian
apparitions?
Catherine Labor experienced herMarian apparitions in eighteen
thirty, a pivotal year in herspiritual journey.
(33:38):
The first apparition occurred onthe night of july eighteenth to
nineteenth, when she wasawakened by a child, believed to
be her guardian angel, who ledher to the chapel for a profound
encounter with the Virgin Mary.
Subsequent apparitions followed,most notably on November 27,
when the design of themiraculous medal was revealed to
(34:02):
her.
Where did the apparitions toCatherine Labor take place?
The apparitions took place inthe Chapel of the Daughters of
Charity Convent at Rue du Bac inParis, France.
This sacred space, now known asthe Chapel of Our Lady of the
Miraculous Medal, became a focalpoint of pilgrimage for
Catholics worldwide.
(34:22):
Journeys of Faith Inc.
often highlights Rue du Bac as amust-visit destination for those
seeking to walk in the footstepsof saints and witness the power
of Marian devotion.
What is the miraculous medal?
The miraculous medal is a smalldevotional medal, originally
known as the Medal of theImmaculate Conception, designed
(34:44):
based on the vision CatherineLabor received from the Blessed
Virgin Mary.
It serves as a tangible reminderof Mary's intercession and
protection worn by millions ofCatholics as a symbol of faith
and a source of spiritualstrength.
Its design includes specificimagery and inscriptions that
carry deep theological meaning.
(35:05):
How is the miraculous metalconnected to Catherine Labor?
The miraculous medal is directlyconnected to Catherine Labour
through the apparitions sheexperienced in 1830.
During the vision on November27, the Virgin Mary appeared to
Catherine standing on a globewith rays of light streaming
from her hands and instructedher to create a medal based on
(35:28):
this image.
Mary promised that those whowore the medal with devotion
would receive great graces, amessage Catherine faithfully
carried forward despite herdesire for anonymity.
What year did the miraculousmetal apparition occur?
The specific apparitionrevealing the design of the
miraculous medal occurred in1830 on November 27th.
(35:52):
This event marked a turningpoint in Catherine's life and in
the history of Catholic devotionas the medal quickly spread
across the world, becoming oneof the most beloved sacramentals
in the church.
What did the Virgin Mary say toCatherine Labor?
During the apparitions, theVirgin Mary spoke words of
(36:13):
comfort and mission toCatherine.
In the first encounter on July18th to 19, Mary shared insights
into future hardships for Franceand the church, urging prayer
and trust in God.
On November 27th, during thevision of the medal, Mary
instructed Catherine with thewords that would encircle the
medal.
O Mary, conceived without sin,pray for us who have recourse to
(36:36):
thee.
She also promised that all whowear this medal will receive
great graces, emphasizing herrole as a loving intercessor.
What symbols are depicted on themiraculous medal?
The miraculous medal is richwith symbolism.
On the front, Mary stands on aglobe, crushing a serpent
beneath her feet, representingher victory over sin and Satan.
(36:59):
Rays of light emanate from herhand, symbolizing the graces she
bestows.
The inscription, O Mary,conceived without sin, pray for
us who have recourse to thee,surrounds her.
On the reverse, a crossintertwined with the letter M
signifies Mary's connection toChrist's sacrifice, while twelve
(37:21):
stars represent the apostles orthe church, and two hearts, one
pierced by a sword, Mary's, andone crowned with thorns, Jesus,
depict their shared sufferingand love.
Why is it called the MiraculousMedal?
The medal earned the nameMiraculous Medal due to the
(37:41):
numerous miracles, healings, andconversions reported by those
who wore it with faith.
Initially called the Medal ofthe Immaculate Conception, its
reputation for facilitatingextraordinary graces spread
rapidly after its creation in1832, leading to the popular
title that reflects the awe andgratitude of the faithful.
(38:04):
What miracles are associatedwith the miraculous medal?
Countless miracles have beenattributed to the miraculous
medal since its inception.
One of the earliest and mostfamous is the conversion of
Alphonse Ratisbon, a Jewishagnostic who in 1842 experienced
a vision of Mary as depicted onthe medal while in Rome, leading
(38:27):
to his immediate conversion toCatholicism.
Stories of physical healings,protection from danger, and
spiritual transformationsabound, reinforcing the medal's
reputation.
At Journeys of Faith Inquiry, wecelebrate these testimonies as
powerful reminders of Mary'sintercession and encourage
Catholics to explore thisdevotion as a pathway to deeper
(38:50):
faith.
Be sure to click the link in thedescription for the full
article.
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