Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
The “Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal” is a prayer devotion through which we dedicate ourselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary, invoking her intercession and protection as depicted on the Miraculous Medal revealed to Saint Catherine Labouré in 1830.
O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and consecrate ourselves to you under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign of your affection for us and a constant reminder of our duties toward you. Ever while wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son.
O most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives. Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death; so that, in union with you, we may enjoy the bliss of heaven forever. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. (3 times)
The Miraculous Medal stands as one of the most beloved and widely recognized Catholic sacramentals, with a fascinating origin story that dates back to 19th century France.
Listen as you read
The Miraculous Medal stands as one of the most beloved and widely recognized Catholic sacramentals, with a fascinating origin story that dates back to 19th century France. This small medal, originally known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, earned its popular name through countless reported miracles and conversions associated with its use.
The Origins: A Divine Vision
On November 27, 1830, a young novice nun named Catherine Labouré experienced a remarkable vision at the Rue du Bac convent in Paris. During evening prayers, Catherine witnessed an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary standing on a globe, crushing a serpent beneath her feet. The vision was framed in an oval, with golden letters forming the words: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
When the oval frame rotated, Catherine saw the reverse side of what would become the Miraculous Medal. It displayed the letter “M” surmounted by a cross, with two hearts below – one crowned with thorns (representing Jesus) and the other pierced by a sword (symbolizing Mary). Twelve stars encircled the entire design.
The Medal’s Design and Symbolism
The Miraculous Medal’s design is rich with theological symbolism, carefully crafted to reflect profound spiritual truths. On the front side, Mary’s stance upon the globe illustrates her role as Queen of Heaven and Earth, while the serpent crushed beneath her feet recalls the prophecy from Genesis 3:15. The rays flowing from her hands represent the abundant graces she obtains from God for humanity, freely given to all who ask. The prayer inscription that frames the image emphasizes the dogma of her Immaculate Conception, a fundamental truth of Catholic faith.
The reverse side of the medal is equally meaningful in its imagery. The cross-topped “M” beautifully symbolizes the intimate relationship between Mary and Jesus, speaking to her role in salvation history. Below this, the two hearts represent the profound love and suffering shared between Jesus and Mary – his heart crowned with thorns, hers pierced with a sword. The twelve stars that encompass these elements recall the vision of the Woman in Revelation 12, connecting this modern devotion to ancient biblical prophecy.
Spread and Impact
After receiving approval from the Catholic Church, the first medals were struck in 1832. The initial distribution coincided with a cholera epidemic in Paris, during which many attributed their healing to the medal. Word of miraculous interventions spread rapidly, leading to its popular nickname.
Among the most famous conversions associated with the medal was that of Alphonse Ratisbonne, a young Jewish banker who wore the medal as a challenge from a Catholic friend. After experiencing a vision of Mary similar to that on the medal, he converted to Catholicism and became a priest.
Modern Devotion
Today, millions of Catholics worldwide wear the Miraculous Medal as a symbol of their devotion to Mary and trust in her intercession. The medal has become a treasured gift for numerous significant religious occasions. It is frequently presented at baptisms and First Communions, marking the beginning of a person’s sacramental life in the Church.
Spiritual Significance
The Miraculous Medal is not a good luck charm or magical object, but rather a visible reminder of Mary’s love and protection. Its effectiveness stems from the faith and devotion of those who wear it, coupled with Mary’s powerful intercession before God.
Whether worn around the neck, carried in a pocket, or displayed in a home, the Miraculous Medal continues to serve as a powerful testament to Mary’s ongoing presence in the lives of the faithful, reminding us of her promise to obtain God’s graces for all who ask with confidence.
The “Miraculous Medal Novena” is a cherished devotional practice that traces its origins to 1830 in Paris, France, through the mystical experiences of Saint Catherine Labouré. During a profound series of visions, the Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine, revealing the design for what would become known as the Miraculous Medal. Through this devotion, faithful Catholics seek Mary’s powerful intercession for various needs, whether spiritual, physical, or emotional.
V. Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your love. R. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
O God, who did instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
V. O Mary, conceived without sin, R. Pray for us who have recourse to you. (3 times)
O Lord Jesus Christ, who have vouchsafed to glorify by numberless miracles the Blessed Virgin Mary, Immaculate from the first moment of her conception, grant that all who devoutly implore her protection on earth, may eternally enjoy Your presence in heaven, who, with the Father and Holy Spirit, live and reign, God, forever and ever. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who for the accomplishment of Your greatest works, have chosen the weak things of the world, that no flesh may glory in Your sight; and who for a better and more widely diffused belief in the Immaculate Conception of Your Mother, have wished that the Miraculous Medal be manifested to St. Catherine Laboure, grant, we beseech You, that filled with like humility, we may glorify this mystery by word and work. Amen.
Memorare
Remember, O most compassionate Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your assistance, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins, our Mother; to you we come; before you we kneel sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your clemency hear and answer them. Amen.
Novena Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord Jesus and our Mother, penetrated with the most lively confidence in your all-powerful and never failing intercession, manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal, we your loving and trustful children implore you to obtain for us the graces and favors we ask during this novena, if they be beneficial to our immortal souls, and the souls for whom we pray:
[Mention the names of those you are praying for here]
You know, O Mary, how often our souls have been the sanctuaries of your Son who hates iniquity. Obtain for us then a deep hatred of sin and that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone so that our every thought, word and deed may tend to His greater glory.
Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self-denial that we may recover by penance what we have lost by sin and at length attain to that blessed abode where you are the Queen of angels and of men. Amen.
Act of Consecration to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and consecrate ourselves to you under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign of your affection for us and a constant reminder of our duties toward you. Ever while wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection and preserved in the grace of your Son.
O most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Savior, keep us close to you every moment of our lives. Obtain for us, your children, the grace of a happy death; so that, in union with you, we may enjoy the bliss of heaven forever. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. (3 times)
