A message from heaven.

On November 27, 1830, the Blessed Virgin appeared to St. Catherine Labouré in the quiet chapel of Rue du Bac in Paris, France. What she saw was like two living images, gently unfolding one into the other.

In the first, Our Lady stood upon a half-globe, her feet crushing a serpent. In her hands she held a small golden globe topped with a cross, which she lifted toward heaven. A voice spoke: “This globe represents the entire world—France and every soul within it.”

Then the image shifted.

From Mary’s open hands, adorned with jeweled rings, brilliant rays of light began to pour forth. Catherine heard: “These rays are the graces I give to all who ask for them.”

As she watched, an oval of light formed around the vision, and in radiant gold letters appeared the words:
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

Then came the instruction: “Have a medal made according to this model. All who wear it with confidence will receive abundant graces.”

Finally, the image turned.

Catherine was shown the reverse: a bold “M” crowned by a cross, and beneath it, two hearts—one encircled with thorns, the other pierced by a sword.

A message from heaven…simple, powerful, and still pouring out grace today.