Feast of the Miraculous Medal

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Miraculous Medal. In 1830s Saint Catherine was a novice of the Sisters of Charity in Rue Du Bac, France. One night as she was sleeping, her guardian angel appeared to her and took her to the Chapel where she was told that the Blessed Virgin Mary wished to speak with her. Saint Catherine followed and immediately on entering the chapel she found that the chapel was filled with light and Our Lady appeared to her and requested there be a Confraternity for Children of Mary. She later appeared a second time to request a medal be made in her honor where she is standing on a globe and rays of light emit from her hands and on the other side the two hearts of Jesus and Mary were to be stamped.  In a third apparition Our Lady explained that the rays from her hands were graces that God wishes to bestow on all who ask. The Medal was called Miraculous Medal because many were saved miraculously from contagious disease and from other harm when they wore this medal during 1830's in France. While the apparitions happened in France the message was meant for the entire world. 
The words on the medal were "“O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.”
You can read more details on the official site here: 
http://www.chapellenotredamedelamedaillemiraculeuse.com/langues/english/apparitions-et-la-medaille-miraculeuse-gb/

My children, parents, sister and I had the great privilege of visiting the Chapel and Shrine in 2010 during our trip to Lourdes, France. We were there on the Feast day of Saint Vicent de Paul and I believe it was divine providence that we were there on that day because Saint Catherine also experienced visions and supernatural phenomena when the relic of the heart of Saint Vicent de Paul changed colors on three consecutive days. 
Saint Catherine and Saint Vicent pray for us and Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you!