So what makes the Miraculous Medal special?
Those who wear the medal believe that it brings divine blessings if worn by the devout. The medal itself does not actually hold any supernatural power, but the piety of the one who wears it is what actually allows for the Grace to be bestowed. Many miracles have been attributed to the wearing of this particular medal.
How did the devotion come about?
Saint Catherine Laboure, a Sister belonging to the Daughter of Charity of St. Paul Vincent de Paul, had three visions of the Blessed Virgin in 1830. During the second vision, on November 27, Saint Catherine saw the Blessed Mother appearing much like we see her on the medal today. This includes the details on the back of the medal as well.
The elements of Saint Catherine’s vision were as follows:
-Blessed Virgin Mary standing on a globe
-Blessed Virgin Mary holding a globe in her hands
-Rays of light coming from her ringed fingers (symbol of graces for those who ask for them)
-An oval framed the figure of Mary
-In gold letters above Mary was written, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
-On the back of the vision appeared the letter “M” circled my twelve stars, and a cross surmounted by a crossbar
-Below the “M” was the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Mary asked Saint Catherine to produce medals from the images presented in the vision. After reporting this to her confessor, and careful investigation, the first medals were struck in 1832. The devotion quickly became very popular, and numerous miracles have been attributed to the wearing of the medal.