The Miraculous Medal: Its Origin, History, Circulation, ResultsAladel, Jean-Marie
Religion
The Miraculous Medal: Its Origin, History, Circulation, Results
Aladel, Jean-Marie
Labouré, Catherine, Saint, 1806-1876; Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint; Miraculous Medal
"During her retreat in August, 1836, she sees the medal every
day, suspended, as it were, in the air. At first, it appeared
very high, shining a few moments like the sun, then like gold;
again, it seemed not so high and was apparently of silver;
finally, very near the earth, and of a baser metal. The
religious gazed in admiration, though without comprehending the
meaning of this vision, until Vespers, when it was explained
to her. A sweet but unfamiliar voice asked her which of these
medals she preferred. She answered, the most brilliant, and the
same voice congratulating her on the choice she had made, told
her, that the brilliant medal shining like the sun, was that of
faithful Christians, who, in wearing it, honor Mary perfectly,
and contribute to her glory; the gold medal, that of pious
persons who have a tender and filial devotion to Mary, but
who keeping it within their hearts, advance but slightly this
divine Mother's cause; the silver medal, that of all who wear
it with respect and devotion, but who sometimes lack constancy
and generosity in imitating Mary's virtues--finally, that the
brass medal, represented that of all, who contenting themselves
with invoking Mary, take no pains to walk in her footsteps, and
thus remain sadly attached to earth. The same voice added, that
there is, however, a very especial and peculiar union among
these various persons, marked, we might say, with the precious
seal of Mary Immaculate; they all necessarily aid one another
in a very particular manner by prayer, so that with this
powerful assistance, the third can elevate the last, the second
sustain the third, and the first, thus happily attract all the
others.
"These details have been communicated to us, from the abbey of
Our Lady of Hermits at Einsiedlen, so renowned for the great
virtues of its fervent religious, and the immense concourse of
pilgrims, who repair hither from all parts of the world."
* * * * *
Up to this time, the medal had received only the verbal approbation of
the Archbishop of Paris; a formal authorization was necessary to assure
the faithful of its authenticity, and to conform moreover to the laws
of the Church, which exact a canonical judgment, before permitting
the introduction of new images in the liturgical worship. A juridical
examination was consequently requested, in order to confirm the origin
of the medal.
Mgr. de Quélen willingly complied, and by his order an investigation
was begun February 16th, 1836, under the direction of M. Quentin, Vicar
General, Promoter of the diocese; it was prolonged into the month of
July, and had not less than nineteen sittings.
We still possess the verbal process of this inquiry. Various witnesses
appeared, the principal of whom was Sister Catherine's Director, M.
Aladel.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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