July 18 First Apparition of the Blessed Virgin to Saint Catherine Laboure (1830)

Our Lady of Victory at Toledo (Spain, 1202)

Apparation Chapel of the Miraculous Medal

Rue du Bac

Paris, France

On July 18, 1830, the eve of the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, whom she loved so much, and whose heart she had seen overflowing with love, St. Catherine prayed to him, so that her desire to see the Blessed Virgin be heard at last. At 11 p.m. that night she heard her name called. A mysterious child is at the foot of her bed and asks her to get up “The Blessed Virgin is waiting for you,” he said. St. Catherine dressed and followed the child radiating rays of light wherever he went. Having arrived in the chapel, St. Catherine stopped near the chair, used by the priest in the sanctuary.

She then heard a sound similar to the swish of a silk dress.

“Look, here is the Blessed Virgin,” said her small guide. She showed reluctance to believe. But the child repeated in a stronger tone of voice. “Here is the Blessed Virgin.”

Catherine hurried to the knees of the Blessed Virgin who was sitting on a chair. “I then bounded to the steps of the altar, knelt and let my hands rest on the knees of the Blessed Virgin. There I spent the most pleasant time of my life. It would be impossible for me to describe what I experienced. The Blessed Virgin told me how I should conduct myself with regard to my confessor and many other things.” Catherine received a mission, a request to have a Confraternity of the children of Mary established. (from official site)

Miraculous Medal the design given to St. Catherine by Our Lady

Prayer of St. Catherine Laboure

Whenever I go into chapel, I put myself in the presence of our good Lord, and I say to him, "Lord I am here tell me what you would have me do." If he give me some task, I am content and I thank Him. If he gives me nothing, I still thank Him since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that. And then I tell God everything that is in my heart. I tell him about my pains and my joys, and then I listen.

If you listen, God will also speak to you, for with the good Lord you have to both speak and listen.

God always speaks to you when you approach him plainly and simply. Amen.

Miraculous Medal Prayer

"O Mary, Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recouse to thee" (3 times) You can visit the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. Visit the official site of the Chapel of Notre Dame of the Miraculous Medal to learn more http://www.chapellenotredamedelamedaillemiraculeuse.com/EN/A.asp View this beautiful video of the story of St. Catherine Laboure and Our Lady http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2pF5XhNSJk

Flower of the Day

Tulip

Tulipa gesnaria

Symbolizes Mary's prayer

The tulip also represents Mary's spiritual openness. It was thought to be the "Rose of Sharon" in the Song of Songs.

***

"Oh, the pride of souls! How they resist My grace! O My priests, My religious, what would I not do for you if you would only let me! I come daily laden with graces, which you daily refuse. What am I to say of you, my best beloved? How long will you resist My love? It is from you I expect everything, and you give Me but the husks of your affections. How long will I bear with you, O My chosen ones? How long will you spurn My approaches?

"My little white dove, it was this ingratitude on the part of My priests and My religious that caused Me so much sorry in My passion." Our Lady of America, July 18, 1959.

Ave Maria!