Miraculous Medal Questions

[LM2]

I’ve seen a couple of Miraculous Medals that have looked odd to me.

One of the medals was stamped “JAPAN”, and one of the medals wasn’t stamped at all. Should a medal come from Italy/ be stamped “Italy” since that is closer to the Pope, or is that not important?

Another Miraculous Medal had the front of it stamped with an image of Mary and the prayer written around the image in English, but on the back there was nothing. No 12 stars, sacred/ immaculate hearts or anything. Does this mean this medal is defective or maybe even sacrilegious?

Also, is it better for the prayer to Mary on the Miraculous Meal to be written in Latin or English?

Sorry if these questions all sound so stupid—I have a real interest the Miraculous Medal yet I’m just in RCIA.

P.S. If this is in the wrong forum, sorry! I don’t know where else it sould go.

 

[cyberwolf001]

IAnother Miraculous Medal had the front of it stamped with an image of Mary and the prayer written around the image in English, but on the back there was nothing. No 12 stars, sacred/ immaculate hearts or anything. Does this mean this medal is defective or maybe even sacrilegious?

It must have front and back images. I know that much.

 

[NPC]

I’ve seen a couple of Miraculous Medals that have looked odd to me.

One of the medals was stamped “JAPAN”, and one of the medals wasn’t stamped at all. Should a medal come from Italy/ be stamped “Italy” since that is closer to the Pope, or is that not important?

Another Miraculous Medal had the front of it stamped with an image of Mary and the prayer written around the image in English, but on the back there was nothing. No 12 stars, sacred/ immaculate hearts or anything. Does this mean this medal is defective or maybe even sacrilegious?

Also, is it better for the prayer to Mary on the Miraculous Meal to be written in Latin or English?

Sorry if these questions all sound so stupid—I have a real interest the Miraculous Medal yet I’m just in RCIA.

P.S. If this is in the wrong forum, sorry! I don’t know where else it sould go.

As you may know, the Miraculous Medal originated in the convent of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul on Rue du Bac in Paris - Mary is said to have appeard to St Catherine Laboure and asked her to “Have a medal struck on this model, the persons who wear it with confidence will receive great graces”.

On several occasions, I have bought medals from the convent in Paris. These medals have never had any indication as to where they were made. I don’t know if there are any restrictions on who can produce the medal - perhaps it can be reproduced freely by anyone who wishes. Either way, I wouldn’t say that one stamped with “Italy” is more important than one which has been struck in some other country.

There are many medals out there, but the Miraculous Medal is very distinctive:

On the front there is an image of Mary. It mightn’t be easy to see on smaller medals, but she is shown crushing the head of the serpent. You will see rays coming from her hands which symbolise Mary’s helpfulness to the poor and the weak who pray to her. On the outside of the image it says “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.”

On the back is the letter M surmounted by the cross, showing that Mary is intimately bound to the mystery of the Passion and Cross. There are two hearts - Jesus and Mary. Twelve stars on the outside represent the Church founded by Christ on Peter and the Apostles.

I don’t think the language of the prayer matters - I expect that the original language was French!

 

[bpbasilphx]

\Also, is it better for the prayer to Mary on the Miraculous Meal to be written in Latin or English?\

**Worrying about the language is nothing but superstition.

Do you think Latin has better juju or something? Her own mother tongue is Aramic.

People have been invoking the Most Holy Theotokos since the Annunciation!

Since the Miraculous Medal originated in France, do you actually think that stamping it “Italy” or being in Latin would give it more power?

Medals are NOT magic charms.**

 

[jbelokur]

\Also, is it better for the prayer to Mary on the Miraculous Meal to be written in Latin or English?\

**Worrying about the language is nothing but superstition.

Do you think Latin has better juju or something? Her own mother tongue is Aramic.

People have been invoking the Most Holy Theotokos since the Annunciation!

Since the Miraculous Medal originated in France, do you actually think that stamping it “Italy” or being in Latin would give it more power?

Medals are NOT magic charms.**

I think that you are seeing things as someone who has grown up where Marian Devotion is common, where sacred objects actually do matter. But for me (and maybe for LM2 as well) I did not, so something that seems so obvious to you might not to us. Just a few years ago I would have said to you, “Do you actually think wearing or not wearing a stupid piece of jewelry will actually matter?” I know better now…how about having some patience with your fellow Christian and give a charitable answer.

 

[Holly3278]

As far as I know, it is not important as to where it was stamped at so long as it has the right images on the front and back.

 

[bpbasilphx]

\I think that you are seeing things as someone who has grown up where Marian Devotion is common, where sacred objects actually do matter.\

**Actually, I was raised a Southern Baptist, but got saved in college and left it!

**

 

[ConservativeOne]

It’s not a matter of WHERE it was made - it’s VERY MUCH a matter of what is stamped / imprinted on it. In other words, if “Japan” or “Italy” indicates that it’s made in those countries, that’s just where they were mass-produced. However, Our Lady gave instructions as to the what was to be imprinted religiously on them - and that’s what counts.

 

[Mary1973]

\Also, is it better for the prayer to Mary on the Miraculous Meal to be written in Latin or English?\

**Worrying about the language is nothing but superstition.

Do you think Latin has better juju or something? Her own mother tongue is Aramic.

People have been invoking the Most Holy Theotokos since the Annunciation!

Since the Miraculous Medal originated in France, do you actually think that stamping it “Italy” or being in Latin would give it more power?

Medals are NOT magic charms.**

Wow, you were a little harsh on the OP. This person said they were in RCIA and were looking for answers. I did not think the questions were stupid at all. Do you not believe that the Blessed Mother appeared to St. Catherine Laboure? That is fine if you don’t but Holy Mother Church has recognized these apparitions and many people believe that Mary said this: "Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.”

Here is one site with more information: amm.org/medal.asp

Sacramentals are not magic charms but signs of faith.