Rome Marks Apparition Of "Sinless" Mary & The Miraculous Medal

From ZENIT

Rome, July 8, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Association of the Miraculous Medal was given pontifical approval 100 years ago today, and a centenary is beginning to mark the anniversary.

The association, established after the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to St. Catherine Laboure, was recognized formally on July 8, 1909. The miraculous medal was manifested by the Blessed Virgin to St. Catherine in Paris in 1830.

The medal shows Our Lady standing on a globe with her arms outstretched and with the rays of light streaming from her fingers. Framing the figure is the inscription: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. The back of the medal has 12 stars encircling a large "M" from which arises a cross. Below are two hearts with flames arising from them. One heart is encircled in thorns and the other is pierced by a sword.

Editor's note: In 1957, Pope Pius XII emphasized the Roman Catholic Marian dogma which holds that the Virgin Mary was "from her very origin exempt from sin" and her apparitions worthy of worship.

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