By Bianca Kallukaran
The Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal came about when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Catherine Laboure (a Daughter of Charity) in the convent chapel in Paris on 27 November 1830. The Blessed Virgin Mary told St. Catherine that a medal be made in the pattern revealed to St Catherine Laboure during the apparition, promising that those who wore the medal would receive great graces. A medal was soon struck in this pattern as it goes in the recessional song often heard at the First Saturday Novena Masses at St Anthony’s Parish, Marsfield:
twelve stars ’round Mary’s head, shine like Apostles all….O’ Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee…two hearts in sorrow and love, Mary and Christ her Son..
Today, almost 2 centuries later, the Miraculous Medal continues to encourage devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, bringing many back to God by the simple act of wearing the medal, praying the Novena and Consecration prayers and faithfulness towards the promises conveyed first to St Catherine Laboure by Our Lady. Many groups or associations have been set up all over the world to foster and promote this devotion, including the Association of the Miraculous Medal (AMM) here in Marsfield (and in Ashfield and Adelaide for the Australia Province). These groups are guided by Vincentian Priests (with the support of the Daughters of Charity- the very same congregation that St Catherine Laboure belonged to).
On the 26th day of November 2022, the members of AMM (Marsfield) celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal at St Anthony’s Parish, Marsfield together with others in the community. The day began with the Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Kevin Canty, CM. The St Anthony’s Parish choir supported the music for the mass which brought much joy to this Solemnity day! Following the mass, the Miraculous Medals were distributed to those in attendance many eager to get a medal ! To further commemorate the Solemnity of the occasion, a fellowship meal was set up at the parish hall , which was a much anticipated fellowship after two-years of COVID restrictions.
Many of the AMM, Marsfield members would agree that it was truly an honour to celebrate this Feast day with many friends and loved ones in the community, a great culmination to the year of First Saturday Novena Masses for 2022. We share the hope of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that many who wear the medal receive great graces and are brought closer to God, and would also like to extend an invite to those interested in joining the AMM to further this mission entrusted to us by Our Lady.
Have a Blessed Advent Season dear brothers and sisters – Emmanuel!