On a midnight illuminated with a celestial light like Christmas Eve —that of July 18, 1830— the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared for the first time to Saint Catherine Labouré, Daughter of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul.

And he spoke to the saint about the misfortunes and calamities of the world with such sorrow and compassion that his voice caught in his throat and tears sprang to his eyes.

How our Heavenly Mother loves us! How she feels the sorrows of each of her children! May your memory and your medal, Miraculous Virgin, be a relief and comfort to all who suffer and weep in helplessness.

Meditate and end with the closing prayers.

In her first apparition, the Miraculous Virgin taught Saint Catherine how she should behave in the sorrows and tribulations that were coming.

"Come to the foot of this altar," the heavenly Lady told him, "here graces will be distributed to all who ask for them with confidence and fervor, to great and small."

May the Virgin of the Holy Medal and Jesus of the Tabernacle always be light, strength and guide of our lives.

Meditate and end with the closing prayers.

In her confidences, the Miraculous Virgin told Sister Catherine: "No small calamities will occur. The danger will be great. A moment will come when all will seem lost. Then I will be with you: have faith…".

Let us take refuge in this confidence, firmly grounded in the assurances of her presence and protection that the Miraculous Virgin gives us. And in times of trouble and difficulty, let us never cease to invoke her: "Help of Christians, pray for us."

Meditate and end with the closing prayers.

On the afternoon of November 27, 1830, the Blessed Virgin Mary descended from Heaven once again to manifest herself to Saint Catherine Labouré.

Standing amidst radiant glory, she holds a small sphere in her hands and appears in an ecstatic pose, as if in deep prayer. Then, still pressing the sphere to her chest, she looks at Sister Catherine and says, "This sphere represents the whole world... and each person in particular."

Like a small child in its mother's arms, so we are in Mary's lap, close to her Immaculate Heart. Could there be a safer place?

Meditate and end with the closing prayers.

From the hands of Mary of the Miraculous Medal, like from a luminous fountain, rays of light cascaded forth. And the Virgin explained: "It is the symbol of the graces that I bestow upon all who ask for them," making me understand—adds Saint Catherine—how much she is pleased by the supplications made to her, and the liberality with which she answers them.

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is the Mother of divine grace who wishes to confirm and strengthen our faith in her omnipotent and universal mediation. Why, then, should we not turn to her in all our needs?

Meditate and end with the closing prayers.

The words appeared as a frame for the image: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!"

And then he heard a voice recommending that he wear the medal and often repeat that prayer, and promising special graces to those who did so.

Will we stop doing it? It would be unforgivable to stop using such an easy way to ensure the favor of the Blessed Virgin at all times.

Meditate and end with the closing prayers.

Our Lady instructed Sister Catherine to have a medal minted according to the model that She Herself had designed for her.

Then he said to her, "The more people who wear it, the more abundant the graces will be if they wear it around their necks with confidence."

This is the Great Promise of the Miraculous Medal. Let us thank her for such goodness, and always shield our hearts with the medal that is a sure pledge of Mary's protection.

Meditate and end with the closing prayers.

So numerous and wondrous were the miracles worked everywhere by the new medal (conversions of obstinate sinners, healing of terminally ill patients, marvelous events of all kinds) that popular voice began to call it by the nickname of the medal of miracles, the miraculous medal; and with this glorious name it has spread rapidly throughout the world.

Desiring to contribute also to the greater glory of God and the honor of His Blessed Mother, let us from this day forward be apostles of her miraculous medal.

Meditate and end with the closing prayers.

The apparitions of the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal undoubtedly constitute one of the most exquisite proofs of her maternal and merciful love.

Let us love the One who loved us so much and continues to love us. “If I love Mary,” said St. John Berchmans, “my eternal salvation is assured.”

Like her happy seer and confidante, Saint Catherine Labouré, let us ask Our Lady every day for the grace of her love and devotion.

Meditate and end with the closing prayers.