# The Messenger: Jesus Is the Message and We Are the Messengers
*2016-11-17*

> Bill Young reflects on the story of St. Catherine Labouré and the Miraculous Medal, linking its origin to the message of Christ and the role of Mary as messenger, while sharing recent experiences at St. Peter’s Basilica.

## A Blessed Encounter at St. Peter’s

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. I was recently blessed to attend a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, celebrating the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. While there I witnessed a beautiful moment during the canonization Mass for Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and I even captured a photo of the dome that seemed to point like an angel toward heaven. It was a moving experience that reminded me how heaven and earth can meet.

## The Origin of the Miraculous Medal

Today we begin a series of reflections on the Miraculous Medal, whose feast day is November 26. The medal was given to St. Catherine Labouré in the early 19th century. Catherine, a humble Frenchwoman, received a vision of the Virgin Mary, who asked her to have a medal struck with the image of the Immaculate Heart. This simple medal has become a powerful sign of Mary’s intercession.

## Finding the Medal Again

Last year I attended a local men’s conference at St. Mark’s in Southeast Florida, and later a Marian conference at Ave Maria College near Naples. While looking for a Miraculous Medal at my parish gift shop, I was told they no longer made them. Yet, by God’s providence, the shop was giving away free medals that day, and I received one. Since then I have been wearing it daily, and I attribute many blessings to this small sacramental.

## The Message and the Messenger

The core message of our faith is the Gospel: Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, died for our sins and rose on the third day. The messenger of this message is most beautifully Mary, who, through her humility and obedience, brings Christ to the world. St. Catherine’s role, guided by her guardian angel, was to be the earthly instrument for this message.

## Prayer with the Miraculous Medal

We conclude with a traditional prayer associated with the medal:

"Immaculate Virgin Mary, we bless you for choosing St. Catherine Labouré to bring forth this medal, a sign of your maternal love. May those who wear it receive protection, conversion, and the graces you so freely dispense. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen."

This prayer asks Mary to intercede for us, to shield us from spiritual danger, and to bring us the miracles promised through the medal.

## How to Obtain a Miraculous Medal

Many parishes and Catholic organizations give away Miraculous Medals. If you are interested, feel free to email me at wryoung12@yahoo.com and I will try to help you locate one.

*The Miraculous Medal reminds us that Christ is the message, Mary is the messenger, and each of us is called to carry that message into the world.*