Catholics wear medals as reminders to remain close to God.  Medals of the saints help recall the importance of emulating the holy lives of these men and women.  Many Catholic medals are rich with meaning and symbolism.  Below is information on some of the more popular medal images found on the medals On This Day Designs uses in our jewelry.  Please see newadvent.org for a more detailed history of medals in the Christian Church.

The story of the miraculous medal begins in 1830 when Mary appeared three times to Sister Catherine Laboure of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.  In the third vision Mary appeared as she does on the medal, standing on the world with her arms stretched out with rays of light streaming from her hands with the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee” framing the vision.  The vision then rotated to show the design on the back of the medal.  Mary requested Sister Catherine to cast a medal in this form and all who wore it would receive many graces.  For a more detailed version of the medal and for an explanation of the symbolism on the front and back of the medal please go to fisheaters.org and amm.org

This is the image which appeared on the cloak or tilma worn by Juan Diego, an Aztec Indian whom Our Lady appeared to in 1531.  To learn about the apparition and the meaning behind the symbolism of the image please go to maryourmother.net.

Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a special devotion to Jesus and is a symbol of God’s incredible love for us.  This devotion is to remind us to make Christ’s heart our own and to be Christ-like in all we do.  We are to strive to always have the love and compassion of Jesus within ourselves.  The heart symbolizes Jesus in His entirety.  The crown of thorns over the heart reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice, while the heart aflamed is Jesus’ burning love for us.

Devotion of Jesus’ heart has long been a part of the Church’s tradition. A specific devotion to His Sacred Heart was popularized in the late 1600’s, after Jesus appeared to Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun, and she was told to honor His Sacred Heart.  It became, and still is, one of the more popular devotions among the Catholic faithful.  For a much more detailed history of the Sacred Heart, Saint Margaret Mary’s vision and consecration to The Sacred Heart, please see these websites: www.fisheaters.com, www.catholicherald.com, www.oblates.us.