Miraculous Medal
In 1830, in a chapel in Paris, the Virgin appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré, showed her a medal, and asked her to have it minted. So many graces were attributed to it that people began to call it the Miraculous Medal, and its feast day is celebrated on November 27.
It is the one you ask for the most and the one we wear the most: with natural pearls, stones, and colored enamels, handmade in Spain. For gifts: medal + necklace or bracelet packs
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Miraculous Medal Ring · €39
Signet style, with 18K gold plating and adjustable. Handmade in Spain.
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What the Miraculous Medal Means
On the obverse is the Virgin standing on the globe, treading on the serpent, with rays of light coming from her hands, symbolizing the graces she bestows. Around it is the prayer "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee".
On the reverse is the M of Mary with the cross above it, and below two hearts: Jesus', with his crown of thorns, and Mary's, pierced by a sword. Twelve stars surround the whole. More details in the history of the Miraculous Medal.
A Story That Began in Paris in 1830
Catherine Labouré was a novice of the Daughters of Charity when, in 1830, she saw the Virgin in the chapel of her convent on the rue du Bac in Paris. The first apparition was on the night of July 18 to 19. On November 27, according to her own account, the Virgin showed her the medal and asked her to have it minted.
The first medals were minted in 1832, in the midst of a cholera epidemic in Paris. So many healings and conversions were attributed to it that people began to call it "miraculous", and that is what it has been called ever since. We also tell you about it in our video about the Miraculous Medal.
How to Choose Your Miraculous Medal
- With a natural stone (€65): amethyst, lapis lazuli, turquoise, African turquoise, rhodonite, or unakite.
- With a pearl, enamel, or colored stones (€69): natural pearls, pearl with enamel (pearly white, lilac, green, or navy blue), fluorite, kyanite, amazonite, rubies and sapphires, or multicolored.
- In silver (€95): the Miraculous Virgin with the cross, in gold-plated 925 silver with white cubic zirconia.
- Simpler (€40): the enameled pendant, in orange, navy blue, green, fuchsia, or turquoise.
Most are made of zamak with 18K gold plating, and all come with a 40 cm adjustable gold-plated chain and a 5 cm extender. If you are still unsure, read our guide to choosing your Miraculous Medal.
How to Wear It and Who to Give It To
We wear it every day. It is also a timeless gift for a baptism or a First Communion, for a mother, or for someone going through a difficult time. We give you more ideas in giving the Miraculous Medal: what it means and who to give it to.
And there is a perfect day to give it: November 27, the feast of the Miraculous Medal.
If you live in Madrid, you can experience it at the Basilica of the Miraculous in Madrid.
Handmade in Spain
Marian and I design each medal, and we make it by hand with the workshops and enamelers we work with in Spain. The chains are also Spanish.
Nothing to do with factory-made medals that are resold as their own design: we explain it in Khartes Medals vs. Cheap Imported Medals.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Miraculous Medal
What Does It Mean to Have the Miraculous Medal?
It means keeping the Virgin close and entrusting yourself to her. According to Saint Catherine Labouré, the Virgin promised great graces to those who wore it with confidence. It is not an amulet: it is a sign of faith and a prayer you wear.
What Does the Miraculous Medal Protect Against?
Whoever wears it places themselves under Mary's protection. On the obverse, the Virgin treads on the serpent, a sign of her victory over evil. That is why many people wear it, or give it, to ask for her protection in illness, on a journey, or during a difficult time.
What Do People Ask the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal For?
People ask for what each person needs: health, help with a problem, for their family, or for someone who is going through a hard time. The simplest prayer is the one engraved on it: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee". We tell you what each word means in the prayer of the Miraculous Medal.
What Do the M and the Two Hearts on the Reverse Mean?
The M is the initial of Mary, and the cross resting on it reminds us of her union with Jesus. The two hearts are Jesus', surrounded by thorns, and Mary's, pierced by a sword. The twelve stars are usually interpreted as the twelve apostles.
When Is the Feast of the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal?
November 27, the anniversary of the apparition in 1830 in which Saint Catherine Labouré saw the design of the medal. Many parishes prepare it with a novena.
Should the Miraculous Medal Be Blessed?
It is not mandatory to wear it, but it is a very beautiful custom: any priest can bless it. We explain it in the video how to bless your medal.
Can It Be Worn Every Day?
Yes. To make the gold plating last, put it on after perfume and cream, and take it off to shower, swim, exercise, or sleep. You can find more tips in how to care for gold-plated jewelry.
How Long Does Shipping Take?
It usually arrives in 24-72 hours, with free shipping from €65 to the mainland and Balearic Islands, and always wrapped for gifts at no extra cost. If you like, add your message and we will write it by hand on a card, also free.
