Vintage Mid Century Miraculous Medal – Blessed Virgin Mary Devotional Medal Small Devotions

A vintage religious medal that I found at an estate sale recently. It is known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception or more popularly, the Miraculous Medal. This is a vintage item showing some signs of age and use so please see all photos. The medal is marked “Japan” on the back and dates back to the mid-century.

On the front of this pendant, Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the head of a serpent beneath her foot. She stands upon the globe, as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her feet crush the serpent to proclaim Satan and all his followers are helpless before her. The year of 1830 on the Miraculous Medal is the year the Blessed Mother gave the design of the Miraculous Medal to Saint Catherine Labouré. She is surrounded by the words “O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

On the back of the pendant, there are 12 stars, cross, and the letter M along with two hearts. The twelve stars can refer to the Apostles, who represent the entire Church as it surrounds Mary. They also recall the vision of Saint John, writer of the Book of Revelation (12:1), in which “a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars.” The cross can symbolize Christ and our redemption, with the bar under the cross a sign of the earth. The “M” stands for Mary, and the interleaving of her initial and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus and our world. In this, we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as Mother of the Church. The two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for us.

Measurements:
1-1/2″ long (including the bail)
7/8″ wide