Today, November 27, is the memorial of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.
On the night of July 18, 1830, a mysterious child awakened Saint Catherine Labouré of the Daughters of Charity. The child led her to the convent’s chapel. There, Catherine saw the Virgin Mary, who sat on a chair. She knelt beside Mary, and rested her hands in the Virgin’s lap. The two spoke for several hours. During the conversation, Mary promised she would return and give the young nun “a mission.” The child brought Catherine back to her bed. Catherine heard the clock strike 2 AM on July 19.
A little more than four months later, Sister Catherine learned what Mary wanted.
During her evening meditation on Nov. 27, 1830, Catherine had a vision of Mary standing in a position similar to the depiction on the medal. Later, the vision changed to include the inscription found on the front side of the medal. Framing the apparition was an inscription: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Mary instructed Catherine, “Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around their neck.”