The Lady's Powerful Medal - A look on the devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in the Philippines
Apart from the Rosary, the Brown Scapular of the Carmelite Order, the Black Cincture of Our Lady of Consolation and the White Scapular of Our Lady of Mercy, one of the most popular Marian sacramental in the Catholic Church is the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, more popularly known as the "Miraculous Medal". The devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal played a significant role in the the history of the Church that helped shaped the current landscape of Marian devotion in the world.
A tribulation in France
The understand the context of the apparitions of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, we should look on what was happening in France during that time. The effects of the French Revolution and Napoleonic rule are still seen and felt in the French society with continuous political and tensions that will still be felt during the apparitions of Lourdes in 1858. France also faced the heresy of Jansenism, a controversial religious movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that arose out of the theological problem of reconciling divine grace and human freedom. Jansenism appeared chiefly in France, the Low Countries, and Italy. In France it became connected with the struggle against the papacy by proponents of Gallicanism—a political theory advocating the restriction of papal power—and with opposition to the monarchical absolutism. From these circumstances we can see the backdrop of the apparitions of Our Lady in Rue de Bac to a humble novice that would challenge these circumstances and would help shape Church history.
The Humble novice
Zoe was observed to be extremely devout, of a somewhat romantic nature, given to visions and intuitive insights. As a young woman, she became a member of St. Vincent de Paul's Daughters of Charity, after a dream about him that encourage her to follow the call to religious life. In January of 1830, Zoe Laboure became a postulant in the hospice of the Daughters of Charity at Catillon-sur-Seine and took the name Catherine. Three months later, she was again in Paris, this time to enter the Seminary at the Mother House of the Daughters of Charity.
Shortly after she entered her new home, God was pleased to grant her several extraordinary visions. On three consecutive days she beheld the heart of Saint Vincent above the reliquary in which his relics were exposed, each time under a different aspect. At other times, she beheld our divine Lord in front of the Blessed Sacrament; this would occur especially during Mass when he would appear as he was described in the liturgy of the day.
The first phase of the apparition
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| The first apparition of Our Lady to St. Catherine Laboure |
Our Lady appeared and talked with her for hours, telling her that she would have to undertake a difficult task. Mary told Catherine that God had a special job for her to do, and also warned of a great time of upheaval that would occur in France and beyond.
“My child,” said the Blessed Virgin, “times are very bad. Calamities are going to fall upon France. The whole world will be in an upheaval due to all sorts of troubles. The good God wishes to give you a mission. Later I shall let you know what it is. You will have much to suffer. But do not be afraid. The times are evil, and misfortunes are about to overwhelm France. The throne will be destroyed and the whole world convulsed by all sorts of calamities. But come to the foot of this altar. Here graces will be poured out on all who ask for them, great or small. My eyes are always watching you, I shall grant you many graces. Special graces will be given to all who ask for them, but people must pray.”
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| The second phase of the apparition to St. Catherine Laboure |
A few months later, on November 27, 1830, the Blessed Mother appeared again to Sister Catherine in their chapel. This time, the Blessed Virgin holds a globe in her hands and saying: "This globe which you see is the world, France in particular and for every person living in it. I am praying for it and for everyone in the world. The rays which shed on the globe from my hands are the graces which I bestow for all those who ask for them. But there are no rays that come from some of the gems because those are the graces which God wishes to bestow on them but they forget to ask..."
Afterwards, she outstretched her hands, with shafts of light streaming from her hands emanating from jewels on the rings adorning her fingers, “These rays symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them,” Our Lady told Catherine. “The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls forget to ask.” (Some of the jewels on Our Lady’s rings were not shining.)
She was surrounded by the words "Ô Marie, conçue sans péché, priez pour nous qui avons recours à vous" ["O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!"] The image turned around, and on the reverse side appeared "a capital M with a cross above it and two hearts, one thorn-crowned (the Sacred Heat of Jesus) and one pierced with a sword (the Immaculate Heart of Mary) beneath. Catherine heard a voice asking her: "Have a Medal struck after this model. All who wear it will receive great graces; they should wear it around the neck. Graces will abound for persons who wear it with confidence." Thus the design for Miraculous Medal revealed.
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| The Medal of the Immaculate Conception designed by the Blessed Mother as revealed to St. Catherine Laboure on November 27, 1830 |
The medal is thus by far the only ecclesiastically approved medal that was designed by the Blessed Mother herself which she revealed on her second apparition to St. Catherine Laboure.
The front of the medal depicts The Blessed Virgin Mary standing on a globe, with the head of a serpent beneath her feet. The reference to Mary conceived without sin supports the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary—not to be confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, and referring to Mary's sinlessness, “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28). Circling the oval-shaped medal is the signature, "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." Rays shoot out from Mary's hands, which she told Catherine, "symbolize the graces I shed upon those who ask for them."
On the reverse, twelve stars surround a large "M," from which a cross arises. This design shows Jesus' Cross of Redemption. Interleaving of the M and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus, which also implied her role as Mediatrix Below the "M," the medal depicts two flaming hearts. The left heart, circled with thorns, represents the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The right heart, pierced by a sword, symbolizes the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Some Catholics ascribe another meaning to the 12 stars, from the Book of Revelation 12:1 "a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars." The flaming hearts of Jesus and Mary symbolizes the burning love Jesus and Mary have for all people.
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| The image of Our Lady of Grace based from the iconography of the Miraculous Medal |
The iconography of the Blessed Virgin Mary as seen in the design of the Miraculous Medal would later create an impact on the contemporary iconography of the Blessed Virgin Mary along with the association of the title as Our Lady of Grace. It is interesting to note that from the moment of the approval of the apparitions of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, along with those in Lourdes and Fatima and its accompanying devotions, their iconographies became popular due to intense propagation to the devotion connected to these apparitions and also the mass production of their images which made it accessible to the masses worldwide. It can also be noted that the depictions of the Virgin from these apparitions created a shift in contemporary Marian iconography which is evolved through the centuries.
The image of the Blessed Virgin Mary based from the depiction of the Miraculous Medal would later be associated to the title of "Our Lady of Grace". The basis of the association to this title comes from the Virgin herself when she explained to St. Catherine Laboure the meaning of the rays of light coming from her hands: "The rays that you see are the graces which I bestow upon those who asked for them. The stones (she was wearing rings according to the accounts of St. Catherine) emitting no rays symbolizes graces which they forget to ask for. Graces will be bestowed, but they must pray, they must pray." Our Lady presented herself as the Mediatrix of All Graces. Such a title must be seen in relationship to her motherhood of Jesus Christ and to the faithful. Since she gave the world the only Mediator we rightly can call and consider her as our Mediatrix.
The propagation
The medals were produced in 1831 with the help of her confessor, Rev. Fr. Jean Marie Aladel, The medal was then formally known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception due to iconography that was presented to the medal and the prayer that surrounds the medal. Two pious associations were founded for the spread of the devotion to the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal: The Children of Mary and the Association of the Miraculous Medal.
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| The original image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Rue de Bac |
The Miraculous Medal of the Blessed Mother would also inspire St. Maximilian Kolbe, a Franciscan Conventual friar, to found the Militia Immaculata in 1917. The members are encouraged a total consecration to the Immaculate Virgin Mary as means of spiritual renewal for all individuals and society, as well as the Church. Members wear the Miraculous Medal as an outward sign of their consecration. The Medal also played a prominent place in the Legion of Mary, founded by Servant of God Frank Duff in 1921. In the Legion's Handbook and in Frank Duff's book ‘Virgo Praedicanda’ he stated that seeing that the Medal has a significant role in the Legion apostolate throughout the world not just distribute the Medal, but also to communicate its message and explain the role of the sacramental in the life of the Church. It is also interesting to note that the image of the Legion of Mary is that of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and the Vexilia shows the Miraculous Medal as well.
Miracles
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| The apparition of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal to Alphonse Ratisbonne that led to hiss conversion |
One of the earliest known miracles of the Miraculous Medal was the end of a terrible cholera epidemic in 1832. At that time, the medals were being produced while the epidemic was killing 20,000 in Parish. In June 1832, the Daughters of Charity began distributing the medals, especially to infected people who filled the hospitals and those who wore them were immediately cured. The faithful also experienced special protection from the epidemic and the healing from emotional distress. The people of Paris began to call it "Miraculous Medal". Soon after, more miraculous cures were also reported through the years because of the Miraculous Medal.
One of the most astounding miracles of the Miraculous Medal are the conversion of unbelievers, from Monseigneur Dominique de Pradt, former chaplain of Napoleon Bonaparte and supporter; Alphonse Ratisbonne, a Jewish atheist who was graced by a vision of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal that led to his conversion in 1842; Claude Newmann and James Hughs in 1844 who also received visions of the Virgin before their execution as punishment for their crimes among others. The missionary efforts of the Vincentian family to pagan foreign lands also helped on the spread of the Medal that won many souls to God that some led to their martyrdom.
Official Church recognition
The miracles and popularity of the Miraculous Medal of the Immaculate Conception helped hasten the dogmatization of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Pope Pius IX in 1854. Interestingly, a few years after the defining the dogma, in 1858, the Blessed Mother appeared once again in France, this time in Lourdes to St. Bernadette Soubirous where she gave the stamp of approval of this act of the Church by identifying herself as "I am the Immaculate Conception.". It is also reported that St. Bernadette was wearing the Miraculous Medal herself and when the Virgin finally gave her identity, as per insistence of the visionary, she stated that she placed her rosary on her arm, she outstretched her arms downwards like that of the Miraculous Medal, then raised her arms and later moved in prayer position and looked upwards and revealed her identity.
Life after the apparitions
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| The Incorrupt remains of St. Catherine Laboure |
Sister Catherine died on December 31, 1876. Her mortal remains lies incorrupt that can be venerated at the site of the apparition to this day. St. Catherine Laboure was beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1933 and was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1947. Her feast day is celebrated every November 28, the day after the Liturgical feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. (In the Traditional Calendar, it is celebrated every December
The devotion in the Philippines
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| An old clipping of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Manila |
To further promote the devotion in the country, numerous associations and apostolates were established to reach this goal and was proven to be a success. The Association of the Children of Mary was established at La Concordia College in 1868 and later the Association of the Miraculous Medal followed afterwards that would soon spread throughout the country. In 1957, Mr. Jose Chebat, a member of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal in the United States, established the Miraculous Medal Apostolate which not only aimed for the further propagation of the Miraculous Medal devotion but also to help support the formation of Vincentian Seminarians in the country. The Apostolate was proven to be a success with the increase of members over the years.
The centers of devotion in the country
With the successful propagation of the devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in the country, the Vincentian established its first Church in San Marcelino, Ermita Manila under the Patronage of St. Vincent de Paul in 1883, first as a chapel and the original image of Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa, which was imported from France, was enshrined. The chapel was instantly became the center of the devotion to the Virgen de la Medalla Milagrosa in Manila and after almost 30 years later in 1912, a concrete church was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Vincentian family to the Philippines.
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| The images of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Manila, Muntinlupa City, Cebu and Quezon City |
In Cebu, the devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal began with the establishment of Congregacion de Hermanitas de la Madre de Dios in 1878 (which was later incorporated to the Daughters of Charity in 1895) and the center of the devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was in Asilo de Medalla Milagrosa which was established in 1934. The Asilo commits itself to the integral development of the abandoned, surrendered, neglected children, youth and their families, unemployed adults, women, older persons, migrants, persons living with HIV and their families, and those persons in crisis through sustainable programs and services where resource sharing and participative involvement is a way of life.
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Blessed Mother to St. Catherine Laboure, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was established and consecrated in Posadas Village, Sucat, Muntinlupa City in 1980 and it became a parish in 1981. The image of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was imported from Spain and was crowned on the day the shrine was inaugurated.
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| The Second phase of the apparition adopting a Filipiniana imagery |
The Santuario de San Vicente de Paúl was established on March 25, 2003 in response to the challenge of the Jubilee Year 2000 of creating initiatives that will benefit the interests of the marginalized. The Vincentian Fathers and Brothers believe that along with the building of a shrine is the building of a community, disciples and a Vincentian devotion to its founder, St. Vincent de Paul and also to the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal.
Apart from these shrines, numerous diocesan parishes and mission stations were established in other parts of the country that are dedicated to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal like those in Quezon City, Laguna, Iloilo, South Cotabato, Cavite, Leyte, Batanes among others.
The impact of the devotion in the Philippines
The devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal became one of the most popular Marian devotions in the country thanks to the efforts of the double Vincentian family's propagation for years since they arrived in our shores. The Miraculous Medal instantly became an essential part of Marian devotion to all Filipinos that the faithful would attach their medals to their rosaries and their Brown Scapulars among others. |
| Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa de Bulakan |
One of the most lasting impact of the devotion to the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal in the country is the beautiful tradition of the Flores de Mayo tradition in the country with the image of Nuestra Señora de la Medalla Milagrosa of the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Bulakan, Bulacan which became the first image of the Virgen de las Flores that was specially commissioned for this purpose. The history of the Flores de Mayo traditions traces back to Jaro, Iloilo in 1855 and years later, Rev. Fr. Mariano Sevilla, the Diocesan Parish Priest of the centuries old Bulakan Parish published the “Flores de Maria o Marikit na Bulaklak na sa pagninilaynilay sa boong buwan nang Mayo ay inihahandog nang mga deboto kay Maria Santisima” in 1867. Soon afterwards, Fr. Sevilla later established the Hijas y Caballeros de Maria to keep and maintain the Flores de Mayo traditions alive and it is still observed up to this day.
It is said that the image of La Medalla Milagrosa was also commissioned a few years later and was commissioned for the flower offering rites since the image can be placed in a more accessible place in the Church since the the image of Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion was placed in the high altar.
The devotion today 
The third phase of the apparition also
adopting the Filipiniana imagery
The devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal continuous to develop and grow over the years. Memberships to the Associations of the Medal continues to increase. The legacy of the devotion to the Lady of the Medal are still evidently seen as what Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira. stated in his lecture: "We can say that the Miraculous Medal was the first major step toward the ‘re-Marianization’ of the nineteenth century, preparing the great movement of souls that would culminate with the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Because of its important role in Church history, this devotion retains all its relevance for Catholics today. In view of these past graces and consolations, it should be cultivated with great fervor."
The Miraculous Medal is an important sacramental and the promises attached to it by Our Lady are just as necessary and efficacious today as they were in the 19th century. She asked us to wear it with confidence and our saints wishes us to hand out Miraculous medals to those they come into contact with, safe in the knowledge that Our Lady will impart copious graces to them. We should remember her message that we should not be afraid of to ask the necessary graces for our salvation, including the Holy Mass that we often forget and she is always there to help us in need.
O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you!
References:
Aviado, Lutgarda, "Madonnas of the Philippines", Manlapaz Press, Quezon City, 1972.
Barcelona, Mary Anne, "Ynang Maria: a celebration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines". Ed. Consuelo B. Estampa, P.D. Pasig City, Anvil Publishing Inc., 2004.
Castro, Alex, "RETRO-SANTO: Nstra. Sñra de la Medalla Milagrosa", Retreived from http://andalltheangelsandsaints.blogspot.com/2010/08/26-retro-santo-nstra-snra-de-la.html on Novmber 5, 2019.
Custodio, Arlo, "Flores de Mayo in the new millennium", Manila TImes, May 19,2019, Retrieved from https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/05/19/weekly/the-sunday-times/cover-story/flores-de-mayo-in-the-new-millennium/556664/ on May 2, 2020.
de Oliveira, Plinio Corrêa, "Why the Miraculous Medal Is So Important to Catholics", Tradition, Family and Property, 2010. Retrieved from https://www.tfp.org/why-the-miraculous-medal-is-so-important-to-catholics/ on November 25, 2020.
Dela Goza, Rolando S. C.M. and Cavanna, Jesus Ma. C.M., "Vincentians in the Philippines: 1862-1982" (1985). Vincentian Digital Books. 13. https://via.library.depaul.edu/vincentian_ebooks/13
Englebert, Omer. "Catherine Laboure and the modern apparitions of Our Lady." New York: Kennedy, 1959.
"Jansenism", Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jansenism on November 10, 2020
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"Probing the Flores de Mayo", Retrieved from https://cappellagregoriana.wordpress.com/ on May 3, 2020.
"The Miraculous Medal", Kolbe Publications, Militae Immaculatae Traditional Observance, 2016.
Nicole Vray, "Une autre regard sur Marie: Histoire et religion" Lyon: Editions Olivétan, 2008.
Raas, Berhard, SVD, "Popular Devotions Making Popular Religious Practices More Potent Vehicles of Spiritual Growth", Logos Publications, Manila, 2014.
Santiago, Luciano P.R., "To Love and to Suffer: The Development of the Religious Congregation for Women in the Spanish Philippines, 1565 - 1898", Ateneo de Manila University Press, Quezon City, 2005.
Smith, Jeremiah J., "Saint Maximilian Kolbe: Knight of the Immaculata", 2008.
"The Official Handbook of the Legion of Mary", Concilium Legionis Mariae. Dublin, Ireland, 2005.
"Vincentians in the Philippines (History and Present Work)", Retrieved from https://cmglobal.org/en/2019/06/24/vincentians-in-the-philippines/ on November 16, 2020, 2019.
Photos:
Asilo de la Milagrosa Facebook page
Malabanan, James Benedict
Special thanks to the owners of the photographs used in this blogpost.
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