Most Catholics have heard about Lourdes, and many also know about the Miraculous Medal, but few know there’s a connection between these two beautiful events.

When Our Blessed Mother appeared to (St.) Catherine Labouré in 1830, France was still trembling from the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. It was a time of great turmoil and unrest. So God intervened in history by sending Mary to Paris to console His children. And He sent her as a Mother—as our Mother—who cares for us, comforts us, and protects us. Catherine had the privilege of kneeling at Mary’s feet, looking into her face, speaking with her, and actually placing her hands in her Mother’s lap. The Church has record of only one saint who has touched our Blessed Mother: St. Catherine Labouré. Surely this intimate encounter of daughter and Mother was meant to give us greater assurance and appreciation of Mary’s love for us.

The Miraculous Medal—designed by Mary herself—shows us that, by standing on the head of the serpent, she is protecting us. As her hands pour the light of God’s grace upon us, we see her concern for our daily needs. When we read, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee,” we realize that she is always near, waiting and listening for us to tell her about our needs and concerns. She will, indeed, go to her Son and intercede for us.

In giving us the words, “O Mary, conceived without sin,” our Blessed Mother also declares what the Church has believed throughout its existence: from the moment of her birth, Mary was immaculate, completely pure. However, it wasn’t until 24 years after Mary appeared to Catherine that Pope Pius IX dogmatically defined the Immaculate Conception as Church doctrine.

In 1858, when Mary appeared to (St.) Bernadette Soubirous, Bernadette asked our Lady who she was. She answered, “I am the Immaculate Conception.” Bernadette was not well-schooled in the faith, and she had no idea what this saying meant. But Mary’s words directly linked the events of Lourdes with the Miraculous Medal. Later, Bernadette would say, “The Lady of the Grotto has appeared to me as displayed in the Miraculous Medal.”[1]

Just as countless healings have occurred in Lourdes, so, too, have innumerable healings been granted to people who have worn the Miraculous Medal around their necks. Our Mother told Catherine that “Graces will abound for those who wear it with confidence.” The first medals were made in 1832 and distributed throughout Paris—and people immediately began to see the great blessings Mary was pouring upon them: gifts of protection, inner healing, physical healing, and conversion. These gifts still occur throughout the world today for people who wear the Medal with loving trust. Of course, the Miraculous Medal is not a lucky charm. It’s a reminder of the love God has for us by giving us Mary as our Mother. Just as He gave Jesus to us through Mary, He also gives us the graces we need to be disciples of Jesus through her. Let’s thank Him for this great gift, wear the Miraculous Medal with confidence, and turn to Mary for all our needs and concerns.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!