Large 1 3/4" Silver Oxidized Miraculous Medal Made In Italy
You will get
a brand new, large and beautifully detailed Miraculous Medal that is 1
3/4". This large version of one of the most popular medals is even more
stunning than the others. The large size of this piece brings out every detail
of its beautiful design. Two sided silver oxidized, and made in Italy. Measures
1 3/4" tall by 1" wide. Die-cast in Italy for exceptional detail, you
will enjoy the beauty of Our Lady's medal made by the finest craftsmen in the
world. Attached jump ring is included, and it is silver oxidized - that
wonderful finish that only the Italians have perfected. This medal is also
known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, created by St. Catherine
Laboure following a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This medal is believed to
bring special intercessions on behalf of the Blessed Virgin Mary if worn with
faith and devotion at the hour of death.
The Miraculous Medal (French: Médaille miraculeuse), also known
as the Medal of Our Lady of Graces, is a devotional medal, the design of which
was originated by Saint Catherine Labouré following her apparitions of the
Blessed Virgin Mary in Rue du Bac, Paris, France. It was made by goldsmith
Adrien Vachette. According to the teaching of the Catholic Church, the use of
sacramentals such as this medal prepares people to receive grace and disposes
them to cooperate with it. Catherine
Labouré stated that on 18 July 1830, the eve of the feast of Saint Vincent de
Paul, she woke up after hearing the voice of a child calling her to the chapel,
where she heard the Virgin Mary say to her, "God wishes to charge you with
a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the grace
to do what is necessary. Tell your spiritual director all that passes within
you. Times are evil in France and in the world." On 27
November 1830 Catherine reported that the Blessed Mother returned during evening
meditations. She displayed herself inside an oval frame, standing upon a globe.
She wore many rings set with gems that shone rays of light over the globe.
Around the margin of the frame appeared the words Ô Marie, conçue sans péché,
priez pour nous qui avons recours à vous ("O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to thee"). As Catherine watched, the frame
seemed to rotate, showing a circle of twelve stars, a large letter M surmounted
by a cross, and the stylized Sacred Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns and
Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced with a sword. Asked why some of the gems did
not shed light, Mary reportedly replied, "Those are the graces for which
people forget to ask." Sister Catherine then heard the Virgin Mary ask her
to take these images to her father confessor, telling him that they should be
put on medallions, and saying "All who wear them will receive great
graces." Sister
Catherine did so, and after two years of investigation and observation of
Catherine's ordinary daily behavior, the priest took the information to his
archbishop without revealing Catherine's identity. The request was approved and
medallions were designed and produced through goldsmith Adrien Vachette. The
chapel in which Saint Catherine experienced her visions is located at the
mother house of the Daughters of Charity in Rue du Bac, Paris. The incorrupt
bodies of Saint Catherine Labouré and Saint Louise de Marillac, a co-founder of
the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, are
interred in the chapel, which continues to receive daily visits from Catholic
pilgrims today. Pope John
Paul II used a slight variation of the reverse image as his coat of arms, the
Marian Cross, a plain cross with an M underneath the right-hand bar (which
signified the Blessed Virgin at the foot of the Cross when Jesus was being
crucified).