Miraculous Medal & Marian Devotion – Nov 27 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Nov 27, 2023, on the Apparitions of Our Lady to St Catherine Labore to have the Miraculous Medal struck, and how this relates to the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception and Devotion to Mary.

The Miraculous Medal was revealed in apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830. St. Catherine, born on May 2, 1806, joined the Daughters of Charity and experienced visions and locutions. The key apparition occurred on June 17, 1830, where Mary communicated a mission to Catherine, predicting trials for France. This was validated by the July Revolution in France.

In subsequent visions, Mary instructed Catherine to create a medal. The front of the medal depicted Mary on a globe, symbolizing her role as the dispenser of graces and sovereign over the world. The back featured the letter M, a cross, and the two hearts of Jesus and Mary, symbolizing their union in salvation. Despite initial skepticism, the medal was eventually produced following a cholera outbreak in 1832.

The spread of the medal led to numerous miraculous events, including conversions and healings. The most notable conversion was that of St. Alphonse Ratisbonne, a Jewish atheist, in 1842. Catherine maintained her secrecy about the apparitions throughout her life, emphasizing the role of Mary in mediating grace and the importance of seeking her intercession.

00:00 – Introduction to the Miraculous Medal
00:20 – Early Life of St. Catherine
00:45 – Visions and Locutions to St. Catherine
01:57 – The Mission to Create the Miraculous Medal
02:16 – Description of the Medal's Front
03:03 – Symbolism of the Medal's Imagery
04:08 – Promises of the Miraculous Medal
04:28 – The Design of the Medal's Back
06:00 – St. Catherine's Secret and Further Life
07:58 – Widespread Impact of the Miraculous Medal

Ave Maria!

Mass: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal - Feast - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10115a.htm
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/112723.cfm
1st: rev 12:11, 5-6, 14-17
Resp: psa 45:11-12, 14-17
Gsp: joh 2:1-11

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1229

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