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
A young religious, twenty-seven and a-half years old and eight years
professed, in an Order especially consecrated to the Blessed Virgin
(Paris), had been kept in the infirmary by various maladies, for the
space of five months. At the very time she appeared convalescent, an
accident of the gravest nature happened; her left thigh bone became
disjointed and shrunken, the limb was attacked by paralysis, and the
sick religious lay upon her bed one month, without experiencing the
slightest alleviation from human remedies. Two physicians and a surgeon
being consulted at various times, pronounced the displacing of the bone
due an irritating humor; but they could not check it, even by means of
cauterizing and issues, so that after a long and painful treatment,
she remained a cripple. She now had recourse to the Blessed Virgin as
a child to its good mother; a religious of the house having brought
her one of those medals called miraculous, which had been given her,
she received it gratefully, applied it to the afflicted member and
commenced, Saturday, March 1st, 1834, a novena to the Blessed Virgin.
All human remedies seemed unavailing; she lost her appetite and was
unable to sleep. She was also racked with high fever; however, having
snatched a little repose during the Wednesday night after beginning
the novena, she was suddenly awakened by a very painful commotion,
which re-established the bones in their place; the leg which had been
shortened about six inches, became lengthened almost even with the
other, and recovered its usual strength. On visiting her next morning,
the physicians were greatly astonished, but gave orders that she should
not yet leave her bed. On Sunday, the last day of the novena, the fact
of the cure was established beyond a doubt. The religious arose quite
naturally, and without any assistance, ran to kiss the feet of Mary's
statue, placed over the infirmary fire-place; then, dressed in her
habit, and accompanied by the Mother Infirmarian, she descended about a
dozen steps to the chapel to adore the Blessed Sacrament, after which
she repaired to the community room, where the Superior with her Mothers
and Sisters were assembled, to give her the kiss of congratulation.
This touching scene was terminated by the recitation of the _Te Deum_,
and _Sub Tuum_. No trace of disease remained, except a slight weakness
for a few days, and as this was felt only in the sound limb, it was
evidently the result of her having been six months in bed.
Two of the physicians acknowledged, with all the Community, that it was
a supernatural favor. One of them has even declared in a certificate
of May 4th, 1834, that without wishing to characterize a fact as
extraordinary, he observes that in this circumstance there are: 1st,
spontaneous disjointing; 2d, spontaneous diminution, three days
convalescence, and these last two are, to the extent of his knowledge,
without parallel in the records of surgery.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account