Tuesday 8 July 2008 marked the centenary of the Association of the Miraculous Medal receiving papal approval. Vincentian Father Gregory Gay, Superior General of the Association, has announced that the centenary will be celebrated from now until 20 November 2009, the date of the group's third international meeting.

The Miraculous Medal was manifested by the Virgin Mary to St Catherine Labouré in the sisters' chapel in the rue du Bac, Paris, in 1830. In the course of a series of apparitions in the sisters' chapel, rue du Bac, the Blessed Virgin Mary manifested various images and symbols to St Catherine Labouré and then said to her, “Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.”

The miraculous 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.

In a letter titled "100 Years of Pilgrimage With Mary, United With Jesus in the Poor Through the Miraculous Medal," Father Gay invited those who follow the spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul to mark the centenary. The letter recalls the progress of the miraculous medal association in its 100 years of existence. It notes that the principal apostolate has been prayer to promote a greater devotion of the Virgin Mary.

For the full text of Fr Gregory Gay's letter, see our feature this week. For more history about the origins of the miraculous medal, see the AMM.org website.