I want to talk a few moments on one of the most beautiful
gifts our Blessed Mother has given us. She has given us so many, the rosary,
the scapular, novenas, water and oil from places where she appeared, and the
greatest gift she has given us is her Son
Tonight, I’d like talk about my real acquaintance to the
Miraculous Medal. The moment that medal made a difference in my life and I wear
it close to my heart to this day, right along with my scapular.
But, first, a little history on how the medal came into
existence, why it is so holy as a sacramental, and the power its holds to those
who believe.
I’m
going to bring us back to the night of July 19th, 1830. A child or perhaps her
guardian angel awakened Sister, now Saint Catherine Labouré, in the middle of the
night.
At
that time, she was a novice in a religious order in Paris. Catherine Laboure was mysteriously awakened
and the angel directed her to the chapel in the convent
And
in that chapel was the beautiful Virgin Mary who spoke with her for several
hours, and during the conversation, Mary said to her, “My child, I am going to
give you a mission.” That was the first Apparition of Mary to Catherine Laboure
and nothing else transpired on that visit
Some
months later in November, Mary again appeared to the saint in a vision and talked
to her about the mission.
In
this vision Mary was standing on what seemed to be half a globe and holding a
golden globe in her hands as if offering it to heaven. On the globe was the
word “France,” and our Lady explained that the globe represented the whole
world, but especially France.
The
times were extremely difficult in France, especially for the poor who were
unemployed and often refugees from the many wars of the time.
Streaming
from rings on Mary's fingers as she held the globe were many rays of light.
Mary explained that the rays symbolize the graces she obtains for those who ask
for them, such as you and I.
However,
some of the gems on the rings were dark, and Mary explained that the rays and
graces were available but did not come because no one had asked for them.
There
was then a third apparition and the Miraculous Medal made its debut. It was in
the form of another vision and here our Lady is standing on a globe with her
arms now outstretched and with the dazzling rays of light still streaming from
her fingers.
Framing
the figure was an inscription: O
Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
I
have provided copies for you that give the meaning of both the front and back
of the medal and how relevant and scripture based they are.
At
the request of our Blessed Mother, she said. “Have a medal made upon this model
in the vision. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they
wear it around the neck.”
There
is no superstition, nothing of magic, connected with the Miraculous Medal. It’s
not a “good-luck charm”. Rather, it is a great testimony to faith and the power
of trusting prayer – that’s the key, trusting prayer.
Its
greatest miracles are those of patience, forgiveness, repentance, and faith.
God uses a Medal, not as a sacrament, but as an agent, an instrument, in
bringing to pass certain extremely marvelous results.
There
are so many stories that can be found regarding
the miracles attributed to this powerful medal
I would like to
share a story of a personnel nature regarding my real first encounter with the
miraculous medal.
Back in the days that I was in the army, in basic training, I
was what you would call, very vain. I wanted the glory without earning it
I remember going to the Px just before my first pass when I
was in basic training and looked at all the medals you could buy to wear and
other items you could decorate your uniform with.
So, I bought some medals, I didn’t earn and a few ribbons and
two ropes, one red and one blue. The ropes went over your shoulder and
indicated want kind of battalion you belonged and were trained for.
My logic in buying these two ropes was that I was attached to
an Army Reserve Unit in Philadelphia, an Engineer Battalion and that the color
red was the true color of the Engineers.
So, I put a Red rope on the right shoulder.
But, there’s a conflict.
I realized I’m in an infantry unit here in Ft Benning and the infantry
wear blue. Well, we’ll solve this problem, I just put a red rope on the right
shoulder, and a blue rope on the left.
So, with these medals and ropes, I was ready for my first pass
in full uniform. I thought I looked rather special and gave me the appearance
of this brave young soldier. All glory and so vain.
Got my first pass and as soon as I got off base and some
distance away, I put the two ropes on my shoulders, one on my left and one on
my right. The other two guys I was with
weren’t quite as bold on the idea and decided not to impress anyone.
I’m feeling good about myself. A couple people stopped and
asked what the ropes meant and I said rather proudly – Combat Engineer – I made
that up, didn’t even know if there was such a thing.
And so it went until a gentleman in his fifties, with his
family inquired about the ropes. He
asked what they were for. I said Combat Engineer. Wow, he said, really impressed and what do
they do?
that was a curve ball I didn’t expect, never thought of
that. So, quickly I said, “Why they find
ways to engineer combat, you know engineers and infantry”. I didn’t think he
bought it that answer. “
Oh, really, that’s great, and where did you receive that
training, he said. I said, right here in
Ft Benning.
That’s amazing he said, right at Ft Benning, and by your
uniform it appears to me you have no stripes on your sleeve, does that make you
an E1. That’s a lot of ropes and medals and
ribbons you’re wearing.
I’m beginning to melt. And your name tag says Hallman – so
that makes you private E1 Hallman.
You know soldier, I’m a veteran of the Korean war and WWII and
every medal I ever wore I earned, and I’ve earned quite a few including the
purple heart, but you’re strolling the streets as a PX hero looking for fame
and fame you don’t deserve. He said, are you Catholic? I told him I was.
I’m going to show you one medal you can wear that you don’t
need to earn and when you do wear it with love and respect it will humble you.
He unbuttoned a button on his shirt and showed me his
Miraculous Medal. He said, “I credit
this medal from saving my life in many of the battles and hand to hand combat I
was in”.
You’re Catholic, where is your medal. Don’t have one, do you? By the way, the PX sells these as well. I
suggest you begin a journey with our Lord, get close to him, rather than
getting close to your vanity.
On a street in Columbus GA the next day, I purchased a
Miraculous Medal from a religious store and once I put it around my neck it was
like a feeling of letting go came over me. I felt humbled and relieved
It’s true, vanity is an idol, and our Blessed Mother woke me
up that night to see what really matters in life. Not how important you think you are.
Sometimes, our Blessed Mother use other people to wake us up. She
doesn’t want to lose us so she gives us so many opportunities to find her.
So tonight, we ask our beautiful Mother to help bring our souls to this
altar and unite them to her Son who, with his mother, will keep us safe under
their wings
