Churches in Paris: Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse

A while ago, we were exploring the Left Bank.  Jean-Claude had read about a church there.  We knew almost nothing about the church but decided to visit it.  We were surprised by what we learned while visiting the church.  

We arrived during midday and discovered the entrance was locked, but many people were waiting to enter after it reopened.  We too waited.  The door opened and the waiting crowd eagerly entered.  We followed and entered the church, where the crowd of people quickly sat, knelt and prayed.  It was a scene of exceptional devotion.

What we soon learned from a brochure and plaques in the vestibule was that the church is the site where a vision of Mary appeared to a young novice nun in 1830.  The nun, Catherine Labouré, had a series of visions.  In one vision, Catherine was asked to create a medal to honor Mary.  The medal would represent faith and devotion.  Although she was criticized, Catherine had these medals made and they became very popular in 1830.  People attributed healings, protection, and conversions to the medal, which the Roman Catholic church eventually approved after investigating the apparitions.  She was eventually canonized.  The body of Saint Catherine Labouré is enshrined in a glass coffin in the church.

The church, now a pilgrimage destination, became known as the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse, or the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

Below is a photograph of the miraculous medal.

Thanks for visiting the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Médaille Miraculeuse with us.