The Miraculous Medal in China

Chinese Marian Devotion

The Miraculous Medal, also known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, has been one of the most widespread Marian devotions in China since the 19th century. Its dissemination was the work of the Lazarist missionaries (Congregation of the Mission) who worked in the province of Hebei.

Origin of devotion

The Miracle Medal has its origin in the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to Saint Catherine Labouré in the chapel of the Daughters of Charity of Paris in 1830. The Virgin asked for a medal to be coined with her image, promising abundant graces for those who carried it with confidence.

The Lazarist missionaries, who shared founder (San Vicente de Paul) with the Daughters of Charity, were the main propagators of the Miraculous Medal in China. The Congregation of the Mission was in charge of Hebei's missions, where devotion was deeply rooted.

The Miraculous Medal in Hebei

In the province of Hebei, the Miraculous Medal became one of the most popular devotions among Chinese Catholics. The Lazarist missionaries distributed thousands of medals to the faithful, who carried them as protection against disease and calamities.

During the Boxers Rebellion (1900), many Catholics attributed their survival to carrying the Miraculous Medal. According to the testimonies of the time, the boxer soldiers respected those who showed the medal, recognizing in it a sign of divine protection.

Miracles attributed to the Medal

The Chinese tradition gathers numerous miracles attributed to the Miraculous Medal. Among the best known are:

The healing of the fevers: In 1902, a typhoid fever epidemic hit Hebei province. The faithful who carried the Miracle Medal reported a significantly higher survival rate than the rest of the population.

Protection during persecution: During the Cultural Revolution (19 Miraculous Medal in the 96- 1976), many Catholics hid their medals in secret places. Many of them testified that the medal gave them strength to persevere in the faith during the years of persecution.

The devotion today

Today, the Miraculous Medal remains one of the most popular Marian devotions in China. The faithful carry it as a sign of protection and faith. The Chinese parishes regularly organize blessings of medals and celebrations in honor of the Immaculate Conception.