Origins
Devotion to Our Lady of Graces began in 1830, with the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to the pious and humble Saint Catherine Labouré, at the time a nun at the convent of the Daughters of Charity. In total, there were three apparitions that took place at the convent of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, in Paris, France.
First apparition
The first apparition took place on the night of the 18th to the 19th of July 1830, where Our Lady reveals to Saint Catherine the great calamities and persecutions that would happen in France.
Second Appearance
The second apparition took place on November 27, 1830. The Blessed Virgin appears dressed in white silk, a white veil reaches the hem of her dress. Her feet rest on half of a globe and crush a serpent. Her hands are raised to chest height and hold a golden globe with a cross on top. Her eyes are turned to the sky. Our Lady appeared to him, showing rings on her fingers encrusted with beautiful precious stones, “casting rays in all directions, each one more beautiful than the other”.
“O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you”
Soon after, an oval frame was formed around the Virgin at the top, on which were written in gold letters: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you”. This was proof from Heaven that Our Lady is immaculate and conceived without original sin.
Miraculous Medal
The Virgin ordered medals to be minted, according to the visions granted to Saint Catherine. Devotion to Our Lady of Graces and the “Miraculous Medal”, as it became popularly known among the people, spread quickly, as well as miracles and wonders, as promised by the Virgin Mary to those who devoutly use her medal: “All whoever wears it, wearing it around their neck, will receive great graces.” With ecclesiastical approval, the medals were made and distributed, initially in France, and later throughout the world.
Reverse of the Medal
After a few moments, the painting turns. On the reverse, Catarina sees the letter “M” with a superimposed cross and below two hearts: the one on the left surrounded by thorns and the one on the right pierced by a sword. Twelve stars distributed in an oval shape surround this set.
Third Appearance
In December 1830, the Virgin Mary appears for the third time, presenting the same luminous rays to Saint Catherine, this time next to the tabernacle, and confirms her mission to mint the medal.
Our Lady of Grace is invoked throughout the world
The Dogma
Since the year 1830, the invocation “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you” has been uttered several times by Christians around the world. On December 8, 1854, Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
The party
In 1894, Pope Leo XIII granted all Dioceses in France the feast of the Manifestation of the Immaculate Virgin, called the “Miraculous Medal”, to be celebrated on November 27th. In July 1897, Pope Leo XIII, through his legate, solemnly crowned the image of the Miraculous Medal.
Devotion
Devotion to Our Lady of Grace and the Miraculous Medal is present throughout the world due to the spread of devotion carried out by the Lazarist Fathers, the Daughters of Charity and the entire Vincentian Family.
Prayer to Our Lady of Graces:
Yes, O Holy Virgin, do not forget the sorrows of this land; cast a willing gaze on those who are in suffering, on those who never cease to taste the cup of life’s bitterness. Have mercy on those who love each other and who are separated by discord, illness, prison, exile or death. Have mercy on those who cry, on those who beg, and give comfort, hope and peace to everyone! Heed, therefore, my humble supplication and obtain for me the graces that I now fervently ask of you through your holy Miraculous Medal! Amen.
My prayer
“O dear Mother, take care of us and protect us from illnesses, violence, physical and spiritual misery. Be our Lady in everything we have and are, because we entrust our lives to you, knowing that we are not disappointed in you, but always seen as dear children. Amen.”
Our Lady of Graces, pray for us!
Other saints and blesseds celebrated on November 27
- Along the river Cea, in Galécia, today in Spain, the saints Facundo It is Primitivemartyrs. († s. IV)
- In Grumento, in Lucânia, today in Basilicata, region of Italy, São Lavériomartyr. († s. IV)
- In Aquileia, in Venetia, now in Friuli, also a region of Italy, São ValerianBishop. († 388)
- In ancient Persia, Saint Tiagodenominated Intercisomartyr. († c. 420)
- In Riez, in Provence, currently in France, Saint Maximumwho was abbot of the monastery of Lérins, succeeding Saint Honoratus, the founder of this monastery, and later was bishop of Riez. († d. 455)
- In the territory of Blois, in Gaul, in present-day France, Saint Eusíciolonely. († 542)
- In Carpentras, in Provence, also in present-day France, Saint SifridoBishop. († s. VI)
- In Noyon, a city in Gaul, also in modern-day France, Saint AcarioBishop. († 640)
- In Mainz, in the Rhineland of Austrasia, in present-day Germany, Santa Bilildevirgin, who founded a monastery in which he died holy. († s. VIII in.)
- In Scotland, St. Fergustobishop, who, according to tradition, exercised the ministry among the Picts. († a. 721)
- In Salzburg, in Bavaria, in modern-day Austria, Saint VirgilBishop. († 784)
- In Beauvoir-sur-Mer, a town on the coast of France, in the territory of Nantes, in Brittany Minor, Saint Gulstanmonk. († c. 1040)
- In L’Áquila, in the Vestinos region, today in the Abruzzo region of Italy, Blessed Bernardino de Fossa presbyter of the Order of Minors. († 1503)
- In Nagasaki, Japan, the blessed Tomás Koteda Kiuni It is ten companionsmartyrs. († 1619)
- In the Dachau concentration camp, near Munich, a city in Bavaria, Germany, Blessed Bronislau Kostowskimartyr. († 1942)
Source:
- Devotional to Our Lady of Graces – Editora
- Book “Daily Saints” – José Leite, SJ
- Roman Martyrology
– Production and editing: Melody de Paulo
– Prayer: Rafael Vitto – Community