Our Lady of Grace Rosary

The Miraculous Medal within these Rosaries

The most distinctive feature of these Rosaries is the Miraculous Medal, commonly used as the centrepiece. Its imagery originates in the apparitions reported by Saint Catherine Labouré at the Rue du Bac chapel in Paris in 1830.

Our article about the Miraculous Medal provides further background on its history, prayer and the symbols shown on both sides.

A Marian Rosary centred on prayer

The presence of the Miraculous Medal does not change the primary purpose of the Rosary: guiding the five decades and meditation on the mysteries of Christ’s life with the Virgin Mary.

This Rosary therefore brings a particular devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal into traditional Rosary prayer. Our guide explains how to pray the Rosary.

Wood, metal, silver and other materials

Miraculous Medal Rosaries can be made using a variety of materials. Designs may include wooden or glass beads, metal components, silver or gold-tone finishes.

The material primarily changes the weight, feel and appearance of the Rosary. It does not change either the prayer itself or the meaning of the Marian devotion.

Rosary and Miraculous Medal

The same Marian image is also available as a separate medal designed to be worn. A Miraculous Medal may be worn on a chain, while the Rosary is primarily used to accompany prayer.

The two objects therefore express the same Marian devotion through different everyday uses.

A devotion associated with Saint Catherine Labouré

The history of the Miraculous Medal is closely associated with Saint Catherine Labouré, a member of the Daughters of Charity. According to her testimony, the Virgin Mary asked in 1830 for a medal to be produced according to the vision she had received.

A Rosary bearing this medal therefore connects traditional Rosary prayer with a Marian devotion that began in the nineteenth century and subsequently spread throughout the Catholic Church.