Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
O Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother, we come before thee with hearts full of confidence. We ask thee to obtain for us from the Most Holy Trinity the graces we seek in this novena. We are unworthy of thy favors, but we fly to thy patronage, O Refuge of Sinners, and trust in thy motherly love.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (Repeat three times)
Jour 1 : The Apparition to Saint Catherine Labouré
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin to Sister Catherine Labouré. The Immaculate Mother of God appeared to the humble novice, standing upon a globe, her feet crushing the head of the serpent. She was clothed in celestial light, her beauty beyond all telling. This vision was a gift from Heaven, a reminder of God’s tender love for humanity, and of the powerful role He has given to Mary as our advocate and protector. She, the new Eve, triumphs over evil, and she invites us to take refuge under her mantle. Let us consider the humility and purity of soul required to receive such a heavenly favour, and let us ask for the grace to approach Our Lady with the heart of a trusting child.
Prière du jour
Prayer for the First Day
O Immaculate Virgin Mary, who didst deign to appear to the humble Saint Catherine Labouré, we thank thee for this inestimable gift of thy Miraculous Medal. As thou didst stand upon the world, crushing the serpent’s head, so too, we pray thee, crush the head of evil in our lives. Grant us a share in thy deep humility and purity of heart, that we may become worthy of thy maternal protection and the graces thou dost dispense to those who invoke thee with confidence. Amen.
Jour 2 : The Invocation: ‘O Mary, conceived without sin…’
Méditation
Let us consider the words which formed an oval frame around the Blessed Virgin: “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” This heavenly prayer, given by Our Lady herself, contains the very essence of her great privilege, the Immaculate Conception. Long before the dogma was proclaimed by the Church, Heaven itself declared Mary’s perfect holiness from the first moment of her existence. She is the flawless masterpiece of God’s creation, the Ark of the New Covenant, preserved from all stain of original sin to be a worthy Mother for His Son. When we repeat this prayer, we not only honour her, but we also profess a great truth of our faith and place ourselves under the care of her who is All-Pure.
Prière du jour
Prayer for the Second Day
O Mary, conceived without sin, thou art the glory of Jerusalem, the joy of Israel, the honour of our people. Thou art the perfect model of all virtues. We bless the Holy Trinity for having preserved thee from the stain of original sin. We ask thee, O spotless Virgin, to obtain for us the grace of a sincere repentance for our sins and the strength to preserve our souls in sanctifying grace. Purify our hearts, that we may love God above all things, and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God. Amen.
Jour 3 : The Rays of Grace
Méditation
Let us meditate upon the brilliant rays of light streaming from the rings on Our Lady’s fingers. Saint Catherine was told that these rays symbolize the graces Mary pours out upon those who ask for them. Yet, some of the gems on her rings remained dark. Our Lady explained, “They are the graces for which souls forget to ask.” What a tender reproach from our Heavenly Mother! She is the Mediatrix of all Graces, and her greatest joy is to dispense the treasures of her Son’s Heart. How often do we fail to ask? How weak is our confidence? Let this vision stir in us a boundless trust in Mary’s intercession. She is more eager to give than we are to receive.
Prière du jour
Prayer for the Third Day
O Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces, whose hands are filled with the treasures of divine mercy, behold our needs of body and soul. We are poor sinners, and we have often forgotten to ask for the graces necessary for our salvation. Stir up in our hearts a spirit of fervent and confident prayer. We now ask, through thy powerful intercession, for all the graces we need, and in particular for the favour we seek in this novena. Let not a single ray of thy grace be lost to us through our neglect. Amen.
Jour 4 : The Cross and the ‘M’
Méditation
Let us contemplate the reverse of the Medal. We see there the Cross and the letter ‘M’ intertwined. The Cross, the instrument of our redemption, stands upon a bar, representing the earth. The ‘M’ for Mary stands at the foot of the Cross, her whole being interwoven with the sacrifice of her Son. This powerful symbol teaches us of Mary’s co-redemptive role. She was not merely a spectator at Calvary; her heart was pierced by the sword of sorrow, and she offered her Son to the Father for the salvation of the world. As our Mother, she teaches us how to stand by the cross in our own lives, uniting our sufferings with those of Jesus for the conversion of sinners.
Prière du jour
Prayer for the Fourth Day
O Mother of Sorrows, who didst stand faithfully at the foot of the Cross, thy heart united to the sacrifice of thy Divine Son, we venerate thy compassion and thy strength. Teach us to embrace our own crosses with patience and love. When we are tempted to despair, remind us of thy presence at Calvary. Grant that, by meditating on the mystery of the Cross and the ‘M’, we may learn to suffer with Christ and so come to share in His glorious resurrection. Amen.
Jour 5 : The Two Hearts
Méditation
Below the Cross and the ‘M’ are two hearts: one crowned with thorns, the other pierced by a sword. They are the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Never were two hearts so united in love for God and for mankind. The thorns represent the ingratitude and sins of men, which wound the Heart of Jesus. The sword represents the sorrow that pierced Mary’s Heart as she shared in His Passion. These two hearts beat as one in their desire for our salvation. Devotion to the Two Hearts is a sure path to holiness, a refuge in times of trial, and a pledge of final perseverance.
Prière du jour
Prayer for the Fifth Day
O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, we consecrate ourselves and our families to you. We desire to make reparation for all the offenses by which you are grieved. May your reign of love be established in our hearts, in our homes, and in all the world. Grant us the grace to imitate your virtues, especially your love, your humility, and your purity. May we live always in your presence, and may our last breath be an act of love for your Two Holy Hearts. Amen.
Jour 6 : The Twelve Stars
Méditation
The reverse of the Medal is encircled by twelve stars. These stars recall the vision of Saint John in the Apocalypse: “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.” The Church has always seen in this woman the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth. The twelve stars symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles, representing the entire People of God, the Church, of which Mary is the Mother and Queen. She reigns in Heaven not for her own glory, but to intercede for her children on earth. To be her devoted child is to have a share in her royal court.
Prière du jour
Prayer for the Sixth Day
O Mary, Queen of the Apostles and Queen of all Saints, we hail thee as our sovereign and our mother. Thy crown of twelve stars proclaims thy glory as Queen of Heaven and Earth. We place ourselves under thy royal mantle. Protect the Holy Catholic Church, our Holy Father the Pope, our bishops, and all the clergy. Watch over all thy children, especially those who are struggling and in most need of thy help. Lead us all safely to the kingdom of thy Son, where we may praise thee and bless thee for all eternity. Amen.
Jour 7 : The Promises of Great Graces
Méditation
Our Lady’s command was simple and direct: “Have a medal struck after this model. All who wear it will receive great graces; they should wear it around the neck. Graces will abound for persons who wear it with confidence.” This is not a charm or a talisman, but a sacramental, a holy sign approved by the Church. It is an outward expression of our faith and trust in the intercession of our Heavenly Mother. To wear the medal is to carry a constant, silent prayer, a reminder of Mary’s presence and protection. The condition for its efficacy is confidence—a simple, childlike trust in the goodness of our Mother and the power of her prayers.
Prière du jour
Prayer for the Seventh Day
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst will that we should receive all things through the hands of Thy Immaculate Mother, we thank Thee for the gift of the Miraculous Medal. Grant that we may wear it not as a matter of custom, but with living faith and unwavering confidence in the promises attached to it. May this holy medal be for us a shield against the attacks of the enemy, a light in our darkness, and a constant reminder of our duty to love and serve thee and thy Holy Mother. Amen.
Jour 8 : The Virtue of Humility
Méditation
Let us consider the virtues of Saint Catherine Labouré. She was chosen by Heaven for her profound humility and simplicity. After receiving one of the most extraordinary graces in the history of the Church, she sought only to remain hidden and unknown. For forty-six years, she lived the quiet life of a Daughter of Charity, serving the poor and the sick, with no one but her confessor knowing that she was the seer of the Rue du Bac. Her life teaches us that God exalts the humble. The graces of the Miraculous Medal flow most abundantly into hearts that are simple, obedient, and free from pride. Let us ask Saint Catherine to teach us the path of humility.
Prière du jour
Prayer for the Eighth Day
O humble Saint Catherine Labouré, who wast a perfect model of humility and devotion to the Blessed Virgin, obtain for us the grace to imitate thy virtues. Thou didst live a life hidden in Christ, seeking no earthly honour, content to serve the poor and to do the will of God. Pray for us, that we may overcome our pride and self-love. Teach us to love silence and obscurity, so that God may work His great designs in us, as He did in thee. Through thy intercession, may we obtain the graces we seek from Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Amen.
Jour 9 : Confidence in Mary’s Intercession
Méditation
As we conclude our novena, let us gather all our intentions and place them with boundless confidence into the hands of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The history of the Medal is a history of miracles: conversions of hardened sinners, cures of desperate illnesses, protection in times of danger, and countless spiritual and temporal favours. It has been called ‘miraculous’ not by any official decree, but by the voice of the faithful, who have experienced its power. Let us renew our consecration to Mary. Let us promise to wear her medal with devotion, to pray her invocation daily, and to spread devotion to her as a sign of our gratitude and love. She will not fail to keep her promises.
Prière du jour
Prayer for the Ninth Day
O Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, who didst promise that great graces would be given to those who wear thy holy medal with confidence, behold us at thy feet as we conclude this novena. We thank thee for all the favours we have received through thy intercession. We place all our needs, our hopes, our fears, and our desires into thy Immaculate Heart. We confidently ask for this special grace… (mention your request). Above all, we ask for the grace of a holy life, a happy death, and a blessed eternity with thee and thy Son in Heaven. Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding Prayer
O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God and our Mother, with the most lively confidence in thy powerful and never-failing intercession, manifested so often through the Miraculous Medal, we thy loving and trustful children implore thee to obtain for us the graces and favors we ask during this novena, if they be beneficial to our immortal souls, and the souls for whom we pray.
Thou knowest, O Mary, how many sufferings afflict us, to what perils our souls are exposed. Thou knowest how we long for the triumph of thy Son, Our Lord. We promise, by the grace of God, to live as becomes thy children, that we may one day be united with thee in the glories of Heaven.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.