The story of this celebration
+ On November 27, 1830, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré, then a novice with the Daughters of Charity in Paris, France.
+ In the vision, Saint Catherine saw Our Lady standing on a globe with shafts of light streaming from her hands and the words, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee,” surrounding the image.
+ In the same vision, Catherine saw a capitol “M” with a cross above it and two hears below. The young sister seemed to hear a voice telling her to have she saw struck as a medal, along with a promise that whoever wore the medal would have the protection and intercession of Mary.
+ The first 1,500 of these “Miraculous Medals” were distributed in 1832. A diocesan tribunal approved Catherine’s revelations in 1836.
For prayer and reflection
“Happy are you, holy Virgin Mary, and most worthy of all praise, for from you arose the sun of justice, Christ our God, through whom we have been saved and redeemed.”—from The Roman Missal, Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Spiritual bonus
On this day, the Franciscans celebrate the memorial of Saint Leonard of Port Maurice. A friar known for his preaching and devotion to the Stations of the Cross, Saint Leonard died in 1794 and was canonized in 1867. He is honored as the patron saint of parish missions.
Vocations
The Benedictine Sisters of Our Lady of Grace Monastery (Beech Grove, IN): www.benedictine.com
The Carmelite Nuns of the Monastery of Our Lady of Grace (Christoval, TX): http://carmelnet.org/christoval/christoval.htm
Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, You have willed that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, immaculate from the first moment of her conception, should be glorified by countless miracles; grant that we, who always implore her patronage, may attain to eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal, 1962 edition)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...