NOVENA
TO OUR LADY OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
MEDITATION
The medal of the Immaculate Conception, commonly called
the Miraculous Medal, was manifested to a spiritual daughter
of Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Catherine Laboure. This
took place in the chapel of the Motherhouse of the Sisters
of Charity, 140 rue du Bac, Paris, France.
Sister Catherine, during her novitiate days, received extraordinary
favors from God. In 1830 she was blessed with the apparitions
of Mary Immaculate to which we owe the Miraculous Medal.
Saint
Catherine describes the apparition of our Lady on November
27, 1830, in these words: “Her feet rested on a white
globe. I saw rings on her fingers, and each ring was set
with gems. The larger gems emitted greater rays and the
smaller gems, smaller rays. I could not express what I saw,
the beauty and the brilliance of the dazzling rays. A voice
said, ‘They are the symbols of the graces I shed upon
those who ask for them.’
“A
frame formed round the Blessed Virgin. Within it was written
in letters of gold: ‘O Mary, conceived without sin,
pray for us who have recourse to you.’ Then the voice
said, ‘Have a Medal struck after this model. All who
wear it will receive great graces; they should wear it around
the neck.’ At this instant the tableau seemed to turn,
and I beheld the reverse of the Medal: a large ‘M’
surmounted by a bar and a cross; beneath the ‘M’
were the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the one crowned with
thorns, the other pierced with a sword.”
When Saint Catherine related the vision to her confessor,
he asked her whether she had seen any writing on the back
of the Medal. She answered that she had seen none at all.
He told her to ask the Blessed Virgin what to put there.
The Sister prayed to Mary a long time and one day during
meditation she seemed to hear a voice saying, “The
‘M’ and the two hearts express enough.”
The Medal was made according to our Lady’s design.
It was freely circulated and in a short time was worn by
millions. Many graces were given and blessings bestowed
until the little Medal of the Immaculate Conception became
known by the name it bears today, the Miraculous Medal.
THE
WORD OF GOD
“All
the words of my mouth are sincere…They are all plain
to the person of intelligence and right to those who attain
knowledge. Take my instruction in preference to silver,
and knowledge rather than gold.”
-Prv 8:8-10
“I love those who love me and those who diligently
look for me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring
wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than gold, yes,
than fine gold, and my products are better than choice silver.”
-Prv 8:17-19
“Children, listen to me: Happy are those who keep
my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not refuse
it.” -Prv 8:32-33
NOVENA
PRAYERS
Opening
Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and
kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit,
and they shall be created; and You shall renew the face
of the earth.
O God, You instructed the hearts of the faithful by the
light of the Holy Spirit. Grant us in the same Spirit to
be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation, through
Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse
to you. (3 times.)
Lord Jesus Christ, You have been pleased to glorify by numberless
miracles the Blessed Virgin Mary, immaculate from the first
moment of her conception. Grant that all who devoutly implore
her protection on earth may eternally enjoy Your presence
in heaven, Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, live
and reign, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, for the accomplishment of Your works,
You have chosen the weak things of the world, that no flesh
may glory in Your sight. And for a better and more widely
diffused belief in the Immaculate Conception of your Mother,
You have wished that the Miraculous Medal be manifested
to Saint Catherine Laboure. Grant, we beseech You, that
filled with like humility, we may glorify this mystery by
word and work. Amen.
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it
known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored
your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of
virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful
and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not
my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Novena
Prayer
Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our Mother, penetrated with the most lively confidence
in your all-powerful and never-failing intercession, manifested
so often through the Miraculous Medal, we your loving and
trustful children implore you to obtain for us the graces
and favors we ask during this Novena, if they be beneficial
to our immortal souls, and the souls for which we pray:
(Mention your request.)
You know, Mary, how often our souls have been the sanctuaries
of your Son Who hates iniquity. Obtain for us then a deep
hatred of sin and that purity of heart which will attach
us to God alone so that our every thought, word, and deed
may tend to His greater glory.
Obtain for us also a spirit of prayer and self-denial that
we may recover by penance what we have lost by sin and at
length attain to that blessed abode where you are the Queen
of Angels and of People. Amen.
Act
of Consecration
Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate, we dedicate and consecrate
ourselves to you under the title of Our Lady of the Miraculous
Medal. May this Medal be a sure sign of your affection for
us and a constant reminder of our duties toward you. Ever
while wearing it, may we be blessed by your loving protection
and preserved in the grace of your Son.
Most powerful Virgin, Mother of our Savior, keep us close
to you every moment of our lives. Obtain for us, your children,
the grace of a happy death; so that, in union with you,
we may enjoy the blessing of heaven forever. Amen.
Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse
to you. (3 times.)
-Excerpt taken from the “Pocket Book of Catholic Novenas”
St. Joseph Edition