Rue du Bac: the apparition of the Miraculous Medal
Rue du Bac, the apparition of the Miraculous Medal
The Rue du Bac (Rue du Bac), in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, is the place where Our Lady appeared three times to the novice Catherine Labouré in 1830. In this series of apparitions, Mary asked for the creation of the Miraculous Medal and revealed the image of the Woman of the Apocalypse.
The apparitions of 1830
On July 18, 1830, on the eve of the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, Catherine was awakened by an angel of light who led her to the chapel of the Rue du Bac. Mary appeared to her and said: “Times of great danger are coming. The throne will be overthrown.” In November, in a second apparition, Mary showed the image that was to be struck on the medal.
The image of the medal
Our Lady revealed to Catherine the image of the Woman of the Apocalypse (Rev 12), clothed with the sun, with the moon at her feet and twelve stars. She also showed the reverse of the medal, with the letter M, the Cross, the bar, and the hearts of Jesus and Mary. The inscription requested was: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Saint Catherine Labouré
Catherine kept the secret of the apparitions for 46 years, revealing them only to her spiritual director. She spent her whole life as a simple religious caring for the elderly, without seeking recognition. She was canonized in 1947. Her incorrupt body rests at the Rue du Bac, where her hand holds the medal that Mary asked for.
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Magisterium of the Church
Apparitio Beatae Mariae Virginis Catharinae Labouré in vico Bac Parisiis (1830) approbata est ab Ecclesia: Virgo mandavit fabricari numisma Immaculatae Conceptionis.
Congregatio Missionis (Lazarists), Approbatio canonica (1836)
📚 Literal translation: The apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Catherine Labouré at the Rue du Bac, in Paris (1830), was approved by the Church: the Virgin commanded the striking of the Medal of the Immaculate Conception.
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