Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal: Missa “Erit quasi signum”
The Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal commemorates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St Catherine Labouré in Paris in 1830. During this vision, Mary revealed the design of a medal showing her standing on a globe with rays of grace flowing from her hands, surrounded by the words: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
The Church observes this feast to honour Mary’s maternal care and her role in bringing Christ’s graces to the world. The liturgy highlights two key Scripture passages: the Woman clothed with the sun (Apocalypse 12) and Mary’s intercession at the Wedding at Cana (John 2). These readings emphasise Mary’s protection of the faithful and her unique role in guiding souls to Christ.
The “Miraculous Medal” quickly became associated with many conversions and healings, and remains one of the most beloved sacramentals in the Catholic Church. This feast invites us to seek Mary’s intercession, imitate her openness to God’s will, and trust in the graces Christ gives through her loving hands.
INTROIT
It shall be a sign in thy hand, and as a memorial before thine eyes, and that the law of the Lord be always in thy mouth. Psalm. O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon His name: tell forth His deeds among the nations. Glory be to the Father.
COLLECT
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast willed that the most blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, sinless from the first moment of her conception, should be glorified by countless miracles: grant that we, who never cease from imploring her patronage, may attain in the end to eternal happiness: Who livest and reignest.
EPISTLE — Apocalypse 12:1, 5, 14–16
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 twelve stars. And she brought forth a Man-Child, Who was to rule all nations with an iron rod: and her Son was taken up to God, and to His throne. And there were given to the woman two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the desert unto her place. And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman, water as it were a river: that he might cause her to be carried away by the river. And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the river, which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
GRADUAL — Psalm 104:5, 27
Remember the marvellous works which He hath done; His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth. He placed in them the words of His signs; and of His wonders in the land.
ALLELUIA — Psalm 18:7
Alleluia, alleluia. His going forth is from the topmost Heaven: nor is there any that can hide from His heat. Alleluia.
GOSPEL — John 2:1–11
At that time there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the Mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and His disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the Mother of Jesus saith to Him: They have no wine. And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to Me or to thee? My hour is not yet come. His Mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six water-pots of stone, according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus said to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water. The chief steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him: Every man at first setteth forth good wine: and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.
OFFERTORY — John 19:27
Jesus said to the disciple: Behold thy Mother. And from that hour the disciple took her for his own.
SECRET
Moved by the pleading of the blessed Virgin Mary, in answer to whose prayers Jesus Christ Thy Son wrought the first of His miracles: vouchsafe unto us, O Lord God, to minister in cleanness of heart unto the sacrament of the Body and Blood of the same Thy Son, so as to deserve to sit down to the everlasting banquet of eternity. Through the same our Lord.
PREFACE of the Blessed Virgin Mary
It is truly meet and just, right and for our salvation, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God: and that we should praise and bless, and proclaim Thee, in the Festivitate of the Blessed Mary, ever-Virgin: Who also conceived Thine only-begotten Son by the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost, and the glory of her virginity still abiding, gave forth to the world the everlasting Light, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, and the Powers stand in awe. The Heavens and the heavenly hosts together with the blessed Seraphim in triumphant chorus unite to celebrate it. Together with these we entreat Thee that Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we say with lowly praise: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth! Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
COMMUNION — Ecclesiasticus 36:6, 7, 10
Renew the signs, and work fresh marvels; glorify Thy hand and Thy right arm; hasten the time, and remember the end, and let them declare Thy wondrous works.
POSTCOMMUNION
O Lord God almighty, Who hast willed that all things should be given to us through the Immaculate Mother of Thy Son: grant that under the protection of this mighty Mother, we may escape all the dangers of these our times, and in the end may come to life everlasting. Through the same our Lord.