The miraculous medal; its origin, history, circulation, results

Front matter

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

• . .

*m

Dedication

. TO

The Most Compassionate Virgin Mary,

MOTHH^l OF 000, OONOStVEt) WITHOUT $t«.

Preface To The French Edition

The eighth and last edition of The History of the Miraculous Medal, extending up to the year 1842, has for a long time been out of print. More than once efforts have been made to have a new edition published, but until now they have failed. The recent death of the Sister who was favored with the Blessed Virgin's confidence, has again excited a general desire for the work; for many persons are eager to learn the origin of the medal, and others hope to get the full particulars of it. For these reasons, the present edition has been undertaken.

Believing that it would gratify our readers, we have placed at the beginning of the book a biographical sketch o^ the privileged Sister, Catherine Laboure, and to it we haTe added some notes concerning M. Aladel, her Director, who w^as the author of the previous editions.

These editions of the History presented but a very condensed account of the apparition of the Blessed Virgin in 1830; for serious reasons induced M. Aladel to suppress many things. He feared especially to attract attention to the humble daughter who had transmitted Heaven's orders, and who, it was best, should remain unknown to the end of her life.

Now, these fears are no longer an obstacle, and we are permitted to publish, for the edification of the faithful, all that the Sister revealed, at least, all that we still possess of these communications. At the time of the last edition, M. Aladel could

X PREFACE TO THE FRENCH EDITION.

understand but imperfectly the import of the vision of the medal, but certain events of subsequent occurrence, have placed this important revelation in a clearer light, and fully established its connection with the past and the future. We have endeavored to show the designs of Providence, by proving that the apparition of 1830 was not an isolated fact ; that it marked the end of a disastrous period for the Church and society ; that it was the beginning of a new era, an era of mercy and hope; that it was a preparation for the definition of the Immaculate Conception as a dogma of faith; in fine, that it was the first of a series of supernatural manifestations, which have greatly increased devotion to the Blessed Virgin, insomuch, that our age may justly be styled the age ot Mary.

We have judged it advisable to omit quite a number of miraculous occurrences related in the preceding editions, and substitute for them others not less authentic, but more recent, thus demonstrating that the medal is as efiicacious in our days, as it was at the time of its origin.

We ask those wlio may hereafter obtain similar favors, to send an account of them, together with satisfactory vouchers of their authenticity, to the Superior-General of the Daughters of Charity, rue du Bac, 140, or to the Director of the Daughters of Charity, rue de Sevres, 95, Paris.

Contents

Page

Dedication, iii

The Author's Declaration, v

Preface, vii

Chapter I

Sister Catherine, Daughter of Charitj' — Her Birth — Early Life — Vocation — Entrance into the Community — Apparition of the Blessed Yirgin— The Medal — Sister Catherine is sent to d'Erghien Hospital — Her humble, hidden Life— Her Death. 1

Chapter II

Mary's Agency in the Church — This Agency always manifest, seems to have disappeared during the Eighteenth and at the beginning of the Nineteenth Century — Mary reappears in 1830 — Motives and Importance of this Apparition — The Immaculate Conception. - - 42

CHAPTER HI.

Apparitions of the Blessed Yirgin to Sister Catherine— First Apparition : An Angel Conducts the Sister to the Chapel — Mary Converses with Her — Second Apparition : Mary standing upon a Globe, her hands emitting Rays ot Light, symbolic of Grace — Mary orders a Medal to be Struck — Third Apparition : Mary Repeats the Order. 51

CHAPTER lY.

The Medal Appears — The Welcome it Receives — Canonical Investigation ordered by Mgr. de Quelen— Wonderful Circulation of the Medal. 67

XI 1 CONTENTS.

Page CHAPTER Y.

Developnient of the Devotion to the Immaculate Conception — Mgr. de Qiielen's Circular. - - - - 79

CHAPTER YL

Extraordinary Graces obtained by means of the Miraculous Medal — Graces obtained from 1832 to 1885 — During the year 1835, in France, Switzerland, Savoy, Turkey — From 1836 to 1838, in France, Italy, Holland, &c.— Notre Dame des Yictoires — From 1838 to 1842, in Greece, America, China, &c.— From 1843 to 1877, in France, Germany, Itah% America. 94

CHAPTER YII.

Progress of the Devotion to Mary crowned by the Definition of the Immaculate Conception — Our Lady of La Salette— The Children of Mary— The Definition of the Immaculate Conception. 261

CHAPTER YIIL

The Miraculous Medal and the War — The War in the East — The Italian War— The United States— War between Prussia and Austria — Souvenirs of the Commune. - 289

CHAPTER IX.

Recent Manifestations of the Blessed Yirgin in the Church — Our Lady of Lourdes — Our Lady of Pontmain, &c. — Conclusion. 309

Table of Engravings of the Miraculous Medal

PAGE

Portrait of Sister Catherine Laboure, the Daughter of Charity favored with the Vision of the Miraculous Medal in 1830. - - - - - - - - Frontispiece.

First Apparition of the Blessed Virgin to Sister Catherine Laboure, Daughter of Charit3% during the night of July 18th, 1830. After a picture painted according to Sister Catherine's directions. Summoned by her Guardian Angel, under the form of a child, emitting rays of light, Sister Catherine arises, follows him to the Chapel, which Ehe finds brilliantly illuminated; she afterwards S82s the Blessed Virgin seated in the sanctuar^^ The picture represents Sister Catherine at the Blessed Virgin's feet, her hands on the Blessed Virgin's knees: "My child," says the Blessed Virgin," " the times are very disastrous, great troubles are about to descend upon France ; the throne will be upset, the entire world will be in confusion by reason of miseries of every description." - - - 53

Second Apparition of the Blessed Virgin to Sister Catherine Laboure, November 17th, 1830, first picture. i^Lbout half-past five in the evening, Avhilst Sister Catharine is taking her meditation, the Blessed Virgin again appears. She stands upon a hemisphere, and holds in her hand a globe which she offers to our Lord. Suddenly her fingers are filled with most dazzling rings and precious stones. "This globe," says the Blessed Virgin, "represents the whole world and particularly France." She adds that the rays escaping from her hands " are symbols of the graces she bestows upon those who ask for them." - - 59

Page

Same Apparition, second picture. " Then," relates Sister Catherine, "there formed around tlie Blessed Virgin a somewhat oval picture, upon which appeared in golden letters these words : ' O Mary ! conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee ! ' and a voice said: ^ Have a medal struck upon this model ; those who wear it indulgenced will receive great graces, especially if they wear it on the neck ; abundant graces will be bestowed upon those who have confidence.' " At thafc instant, the picture being turned. Slater Catherine sees on the reverse, the letter M, surmounted by a cro^s, and beneath this the sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. - - 60

Medal struck by order of Mgr. de Quelen. - - - 73

Apparition of the Miraculous Medal to M. Eatisbcnne. - 265

Representation of the Miraculous Medal, modelled in accordance with the description given by Sister Catherine Labours. - v. 272, 273

Sister Catherine,

DAUGHTER OF CHARITY.

HER BIRTH EARLY LIFE VOCATIOlSr ENTRANCE INTO

THE COMMUNITY APPARITION OF THE VIRGIN

THE MEDAL SISTER CATHERINE IS PLACED AT THE

HOSPITAL d'eNGHIEN — HER HUMBLE, HIDDEN LIFE HER DEATH.

It is an extensively credited assumption, that those who are favored with supernatural communications should have something extraordinary in their person and mode of life. One easily invests them with an ideal of perfection, which, in some measure, sets them apart from the majority of mankind. But if, at any time, an occasion occurs of. proving that such an assumption is erroneous, if we discover in these divine confidants w-eaknesses or only infirmities, we are astonished and tempted to be scandalized. Among the Christians who knew St. Paul only by reputation, some were disappointed on a closer acquaintance ; they said his appearance was too unprepossessing and his language too unrefined for an apostle. Were not the Jews scandalized that Our Lord ate and drank like others, that His parents were poor, that He came from Nazareth, and that He conversed with sinners ? So true is it, that Ave are always disposed to judge by appearances.

Not so with God. He sees the depths of our hearts, and often what appears contemptible in the eyes of the world, is great in His. Simplicity and purity He prizes especially. Exterior qualities, gifts of intellect, birth and education, are of little value to Him, and when He has an important mission to confide, it is ordinarily to persons not' possessing these qualifications. Thus, does He display His wisdom and power, in using what is weak, to accomplish great results. Sometimes, He chooses for His instruments subjects that are even imperfect, permitting them to commit ftiults in order to keep them in all humility, and convince them that the favors they receive are not accorded their own merits, but are the gift of God's pure bounty.

These observations naturally prelude Sister Catherine's biography; they explain in advance the difficulties which might arise in the mind of the reader at the contrast between a life so simple and ordinary and the graces showered upon her.

Sister Catherine (Zoe Labonre) was born May 2, 1806, in a little village of the Cote-d'Or Mountains, called Fain-les-Moutiers, of the parish of Moutiers-Saint-Jean. This last place, particularly dear to St. Vincent, was n'ot far from the cradle of St. Bernard, that great servant of

Mary, nor from the spot where St. Chantal passed a part of her life, as if in the soil as well as the blood there was a predisposition to certain qualities or hereditary yirtues.

Her parents, sincere Christians, were held in esteem. They cultivated their farm, and enjoyed that competency which arises from rural labor joined to simplicity of life. God had blessed their union with a numerous family, seven sons and three daughters.

At an early age, the sons left the paternal roof; little Zoe, with her sisters, remained under the mother's eye, but this mother, God took from Zoe, ere she had completed her eighth year. Already capable of feeling the extent of this sacrifice, it seemed to her as if the Blessed Virgin wished to be her only Mother.

An aunt, living at Eemy, took Zoe and the youngest sister to live with her; but the father, a pious man, who in his youth had even thought of embracing the ecclesiastical state, preferred having the children under his own eye, and at the end of two years they were brought home.

Another motive, also, impelled him to act thus. The eldest sister thought seriously of leaving her family to enter the Community of Daughters of Charity, and the poor father could not bear the idea of confiding his house to mercenary hands. And thus, at an age when other children think only of their sports, Zoe was inured to hard work.

At the age of twelve, with a pure and fervent heart, she made her First Communion in the church of Moutiers-Saint-Jean. Henceforth, her only desire was to be solely His who had just given Himself to her for the first time.

Very soon after, the eldest sister left home to postulate at Langres ; and Zoe, now little mistress of the house, did the cooking, with the assistance of a woman for the roughest work. She carried the field hands their meals, and neyer shrank from any duty however laborious or severe.

Moutiers-Saint-Jean possesses an establishment of the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul. Zoe went to see them as often as her household duties permitted, and the good Sister-Servant, who loved her much, encouraged the child in her laborious life ; yet the latter never spoke to the Sister of her growing vocation, but awaited, with a secret impatience, until her sister (two years her junior) would be able to take charge of the house. It was she to whom Zoe confided her dearest desires, and then commenced for the two that tender intimacy of life, one of pure labor and duty, and whose only relaxations were attending the services of the parish church.

The two young girls, thinking themselves able to dispense with the servant, dismissed her, and now" shared between them all the work. Zoe, who was very sedate and trustworthy, watched over everything with the utmost vigilance, and took care of her sister with a mother's tenderness.

One of her favorite occupations was the charge of the pigeon house, which always contained from seven to eight hundred pigeons. So faithfully did she perform this duty, that they all knew her, and as soon as she appeared they came flying around her in the shape of a crown. It was, says her sister, a most charming spectacle — innocence attracting the birds, which are its symbol.

In youth, we see her, already modest in deportment, serious in character, pious and recollected in the parochial church which she regularly attended, kneeling upon the cold stones even in winter. And this was not the only mortification she practiced ; to bodily fatigue, she added from her tenderest youth that of fasting every AVe.lnesday and Saturday. It was for a long time without her father's knowledge ; at length, discovering his daughter's pious ruse, he endeavored to dissuade her ; but all his reproaches were not able to overcome her love of penance, she believed it her duty to prefer the interior voice of God to that of her father.

In all this we clearly discern the character of the future Sister, with its virtues and defects. On one side, we see true simplicity, unselfishness, constant application to the most hxborious duties under the safeguard of innocence and fervor; on the other, a disposition accustomed to govern, and which could not yield without an internal struggle.

During this life of rural toil, she never lost sight of her vocation. Several times was her hand asked in marriage, but she invariably answered that, long aflSanced to Jesus her good Saviour, she wished no other spouse than Him. But had she yet made choice of the Community she would enter ? It is doubtful, especially when we consider the following event of her life, which deeply impressed her, and always remained graven in the memory of her dear sister who related it.

Being still in her father's house at Fain-les-Mou tiers, she had a dream, which we may consider as an inspiration from God and a preparation for her vocation.

It seemed to her that she was in the Purgatorian chapel of the village church. An aged priest of venerable appearance and remarkable countenance appeared in the chapel, and began to vest himself for Mass ; she assisted at it, deeply impressed with the presence of this unknown priest. At the end of Mass, he made her a sign to approach, but affrighted, she drew back, yet eyer keeping her eyes fixed upon him.

Leaving the church, she went to visit a sick person in the village. Here, she again finds herself with the aged priest, who addresses her in these words : "My daughter, it is well to nurse the sick; you fly from me now, but one day you will be happy to come to me. God has His designs upon you, do not forget it." Amazed and filled with fear, the young girl still flies his presence. On leaving the house, it seemed to her that her feet scarcely touched the ground, and just at the moment of entering her home she awoke, and recognized that what had passed Avas only a dream.

She was now eighteen years old, knowing scarcely how to read, much less write; as she Avas doubtless aware that this would be an obstacle to her admission into a Community, she obtained her father's permission to visit her sister-in-law, who kept a boarding school at Ohatillon, and there receive a little instruction. Her father, fearing to lose her, reluctantly consented to her departure.

Incessantly occupied with thoughts of the vision we have already related, she spoke of it to the Cure of Chatillon, who said to her: "I believe, my child, that this old man is St. Vincent, who calls you to be a Daughter of Charity.'' Her sister-in-law having taken her to see the Sisters at Chatillon, she was astonished on entering their parlor to behold a picture, the perfect portrait of the priest who had said to her in her dream: "My daughter, you fly from me now, but one day you will be happy to come to me. God has His designs upon you, do not forget it." She immediately inquired the name of the original, and when told that it was St. Vincent, the mystery vanished ; she understood that it was he who was to be her Father.

This circumstance was not of a nature to quench the ardor of her desires. She remained but a short time with her sister-in-law. The humble country girl was ill at ease amidst the young ladies of the school, and she learned nothing.

It was at this time she became acquainted w^ith Sister Victoire Sejole, who was afterwards placed over the house at Moutiers-Saint-Jean. Though young, already thoroughly devoted to God and His poor, Sister Victoire divined the candor of this soul and its sufferings ; she immediately begged her Sister-Servant to admit Zoe as a postulant without delay, offering herself to bestow particular pains upon her, instructing her in whatever was indispensable for her as a Daughter of Charity.

But Zoe could not yet profit by the interest good Sister Victoire had taken in her; this happiness was to be dearly bought.

When she acquainted her father with her intentions, the poor father s heart rebelled ; he had already given his eldest daughter to St. Vincent's family, and now, to sacrifice her who for years had so wisely directed his household, seemed indeed beyond his strength. He considered a means of dissuading her from her plans, and thought he had found it by sending her to Paris, to one of his sons who kept a restaurant, telling him to seek by various distractions to extinguish in the sister's heart all idea of her vocation. Time of trial and suffering for the young aspirant, who, far from losing the desire of consecrating herself to God, only sighed more ardently after the happy day w^hen she could quit the world.

She now thought of writing to her sister-in-law at Chatillon, and interesting her in the matter. The latter, touched with tliis mark of confidence, had Zoe come to her, and finally obtained the father's consent. Zoe became a postulant in the house of the Sisters at Chatillon, in the beginning of the year 1830.

Zoe Laboure was very happy to find, at last, the end of those severe trials which had lasted almost two years. The 21st of April, 1830, she reached that much desired haven, the Seminary.^

Behold her, then, in possession of all that had been the cher'shed object of her desires and affections from earliest childhood ! Her soul could now dilate itself in prayer, and in the joyful consciousness of being entirely devoted to the service of its God.

During the whole of her Seminary term, she had the happiness of having for Director of her conscience M. Jean Marie Aladel, of venerated memory, a priest of eminent piety, excellent judgment and great experience, austere as a hermit, indefatigable in work, a true son of St. Vincent de Paul. He was a prudent guide for her in the extraordinary ways whither God had called her. He knew how to hold her in check against the illusions of imagination, and especially the seductions of pride at the same time, that he encouraged her to walk in the paths of perfection by the practice of the most solid virtues. M. Aladel did not lose sight of her, even after she was sent to the Hospital d'Enghien. He thereby gained much for his own sanctification and the mission confided to him.

1 St. Vincent desired that the sojourn which the young Sisters make at the Mother House, to be there imbued with, and instructed in, the spirit and duties of their vocation, should be called the Seminary term ; he feared lest the word "novitiate," applicable to religious Orders, might cause Ihe Daughters of Charity to be regarded as such.

Informed by her of God's designs, he devoted himself unreservedly to the propagation of devotion to Mary Immaculate, and during the last years of his life, to extend among the young girls educated by the Sisters of St. Vincent, the association of Children of Mary. He died in 1865, eleven years before his spiritual daughter.^

Three days before the magnificent ceremony of the translation of St. Vincent de Paul's relics to the chapel of St. Lazare, a feast which was the signal of renewed life for the Congregation of the Mission, Sister Laboure was favored with a prophetic vision. The same God who had called Vincent from the charge of his father s flocks to make him a vessel of election, was now going to confide to a poor country girl the secrets of His mercy. Let us give the account of this first impression in her own simple language.

" It was Wednesday before the translation of St. Vincent de Paul's relics. Happy and delighted at the idea of taking part in this grand celebration, it seemed to me that I no longer cared for anything on earth.

'' I begged St. Vincent to give me whatever graces I needed, also to bestow the same upon his two families and all France. It appeared to me that France was in sore need of them. In fine, I prayed St. Vincent to teach me what I ought to ask, and also that I might ask it with a lively faith."

She returned from St. Lazare's filled with the thought of her blessed Father, and believed that she found him again at the Community. ^^I had," said she, "the consolation of seeing his heart above the little shrine where his relics are exposed. It appeared to me three succes-

1 The Life of M. Aladel has been published ; 1 volume in 12mo. It can be procured in Paris, rue du Bac, 140.

sive days in a different manner : First, of a pale, clear color, and this denoted peace, serenity, innocence and union.

"Afterwards, I saw it the color of fire, symbolic of the charity that should be enkindled in hearts. It seemed to me that charitv was to be reanimated and extended even to the extremities of the world.

^•'Lastly, it appeared a very dark red, a livid hue, which plunged my heart in sadness. It filled me with fears I could scarcely overcome. I know not why, nor how, but this sadness seemed to be connected with a change of government."

It was strange, indeed, that Sister Laboure, at that time, should have these political forebodings.

An interior voice said to her : "The heart of St. Vincent is profoundly afflicted at the great misfortunes which will overwhelm France." The last day of the octave, she saw the same heart vermilion color, and the interior voice whispered : " The heart of St. Vincent is a little consoled, because he has obtained from God (through Mary's intercession) protection for his two families in the midst of these disasters ; they shall not perish, and God will use them to revive the Faith."

To ease her mind, she related this vision to her confessor, who told her to think no more about it ; Sister Laboure never dreamed of aught but obeying, and in no way did she ever reveal it to her companions.

We find this singular favor mentioned in a letter written by Sister Catherine, in the year 1856, at the command of M. Aladel. The year she entered the Seminary, this worthy missionary was almost the orly chaplain of the Community. The Congregation of the Mission, scarcely restored at this epoch, counted at its

Mother House but nine priests in all, and at least half that number were in the Seminary. M. Etienne, of venerated memory, was Procurator General, and M. Salliorgne, Superior of St. Vincent's two families. If the laborers were few, the deficiency was supplied by the devotedness of these few, who multiplied themselves for the service of the Community. The Divine bounty has prepared for their charity a beautiful recompense.

According to the notes which Sister Catherine wrote later in obedience to M. Aladel, the humble daughter during all her Seminary term enjoyed the undisguised sight of Him w^iose presence is concealed from our senses in the Sacrament of His love. '^ Except,'' said she, '' when I doubted, then I saw nothing, because I wished to fathom the mystery, fearing to be deceived.'^

Our Lord deigned to show Himself to His humble servant, conformably to the mysteries of the day, and, in connexion with this, she mentions one circumstance relative to the change of government, which could not have been foreseen by human means.

"On the Feast of the Holy Trinity,'^ says she, "Our Lord during Holy Mass appeared to me in the Most Blessed Sacrament as a king with the cross upon His breast. Just at the Gospel, it seemed to me that the cross and all His regal ornaments fell at His feet, and He remained thus despoiled. It was then the gloomiest and saddest thoughts oppressed me, for I understood from this that the king would be stripped of his royal garb, and great disasters would ensue."

When the humble daughter had these forebodings concerning the king, he was then apparently at the pinnacle of fortune. The siege of Algiers w^as in progress, and everything predicted the happy success of his arms. During the early part of July, this almost impregnable fortress of the pirates fell into the power of France; the whole kingdom rejoiced at the memorable victory, and the churches resounded with hymns of thanksgiving.

Alas ! this triumph was to be quickly followed by a bloody revolution, which would overthrow the throne and menace the altars. That very month, the clergy and religious communities of Paris were seized with terror. M. Aladel was greatly alarmed for the Daughters of Charity and the Missionaries, but Sister Laboure never ceased to reassure him, saying that the two communities had nothing to fear, they would not perish.

One day she told him that a bishop had sought refuge at St. Lazare's, that he could be received without hesitation, and might remain there in safety. M. Aladel paid little attention to these predictions, but returning sadly to his house, he w^as accosted on entering by M. Salhorgne, Avho told him that Mgr. Frayssinous, Bishop of Hermopolis, and Minister of Keligious AVorship under Charles X, had just come, begging an asylum from the persecution that pursued him.

These revelations bore an impress of truth which it was difficult to ignore; so in feigning to mistrust them, M. Aladel listened with the deepest interest. He began to persuade himself that the spirit of God inspired this young Sister; and after seeing the accomplishment of several things she had foretold, he now fdt disposed to give credence to other and more marvellous communications she had confided to him.

According to her testimony, the Most Holy Virgin had appeared to her, these apparitions were repeated various times, she had been charged to acquaint her Director with what she had seen and heard, an important mission had been confided to her, that of having strnck and circulated a medal in honor of the Immaculate Conception.

The third chapter of this volume gives a detailed account of these visions, just as they have been transmitted to ns from the hand of the Sister herself.

Notwithstanding the sensible assurances of the Sister's veracity, M. Aladel listened to these communications with mistrust, as he tells us himself, in the canonical investigation prescribed in 1836 by Mgr. de Quelen ; he professed to consider them of little value, as if they had been the pious vagaries of a young girl's imagination. He told her to regard them in the same light, and he even wxnt so far as to humble her, and reproach her with a w^ant of submission. The poor Sister, unable to convince him, dared speak no more of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin ; she never mentioned the subject to him except when she felt herself tormented and constrained to do so by an almost irresistible desire.

''Such w^as the reason," says M. Aladel, "that she spoke to him concerning the matter but three times, although the visions Avere much oftener repeated." After thus relieving her heart, she became perfectly calm. The investigation also shows us that Sister Catherine sought no other confidant of her secrets than her confessor ; she never mentioned them to her Superior or any one else. It was to M. Aladel Mary had directed her, to him only did she speak, and she even exacted of him the promise that her name w^ould never be mentioned.^