2020 marks the 190th anniversary of the Marian apparitions at the Rue du Bac in Paris

Pope Francis blessed a statue of the Immaculate Virgin Mary of the Miraculous Medal at the end of his general audience on November 11, 2020. The statue will soon begin to travel around Italy as part of an evangelization initiative by the Vincentian Congregation of the Mission. The Vincentians, led by their superior general, Father Tomaž Mavrič, said in a statement that this year-long Marian pilgrimage would help to proclaim the merciful love of God at a time “marked by strong tensions on every continent.”

The Miraculous Medal is a sacramental inspired by the Marian apparition to Saint Catherine Labouré in Paris in 1830. The Virgin Mary appeared to her as the Immaculate Conception, standing on a globe with light streaming from her hands and crushing a serpent underfoot. “A voice said to me, ‘Have a medal struck after this model. All who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck,’” Saint Catherine recalled.

One side of the Miraculous Medal features a cross with the letter “M” underneath it, surrounded by 12 stars, and the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The other side has an image of Mary, as she appeared, surrounded by the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.”

Founded by Saint Vincent de Paul in 1625, today Vincentians regularly say Mass and hear confessions at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in the heart of Paris. Saint Catherine Labouré was a novice with the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul when she received three apparitions from the Blessed Virgin Mary, a vision of Christ present in the Eucharist, and a mystical encounter in which Saint Vincent de Paul showed her his heart. During their Marian pilgrimage, the Vincentian missionaries also plan to distribute Miraculous Medals. 

Adapted from Catholic News Agency