The 3 Sacred Gifts of Mary: The Holy Rosary, Brown Scapular, and Miraculous Medal
The Blessed Virgin Mary, our loving and caring Mother, holds a deep interest in our salvation. Her unique union with Jesus positions her as our supreme advocate and intercessor among all the saints in heaven.
Throughout time, Mary has graced chosen holy men and women with her personal appearances, bestowing upon them particular devotions with attached graces and promises.
The Holy Rosary
Step back in time to the year 1214 when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Dominic forever transforming the course of history. St. Dominic, dedicated to fighting heresy and converting sinners, faced discouragement as his mission seemed to bear little fruit. But then the Blessed Mother presented him with a spiritual weapon that would ignite a movement of profound spiritual renewal.
The Blessed Virgin said to Dominic, "I want you to know that, in this kind of warfare, the battering ram has always been the Angelic Psalter which is the foundation stone of the New Testament. Therefore, if you want to reach these hardened souls and win them over to God, preach my Psalter."
The Angelic Psalter, a compilation of sacred prayers, began with the greeting of the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary during the Annunciation (Ave Maria, Hail Mary). It was further intertwined with the words of Elizabeth during Mary's Visitation (Blessed art Thou...) and the Pater Noster (Our Father) prayer taught by Jesus Himself. The Blessed Virgin Mary bestowed upon St. Dominic a new formulation, the Dominican Rosary, as we know and cherish it today.
Then in the 15th century, the Virgin Mary appeared before Alanus de Rupe, a Dominican friar. She revealed to him the following 15 promises to those who pray the Rosary. We hope that they encourage you in meditating on the mysteries of Christ by praying the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
1. Those who faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell. It will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. The recitation of the Rosary will cause virtue and good works to flourish. It will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God. It will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary shall not perish.
6. Those who recite my Rosary devoutly, applying themselves to the consideration of its sacred mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. In His justice, God will not chastise them; nor shall they perish by an unprovided death, i.e., be unprepared for heaven. Sinners shall convert. The just shall persevere in grace and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Those who have a true devotion to the Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who faithfully recite the Rosary shall have, during their life and at their death, the light of God and the plenitude of His graces. At the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in paradise.
9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in heaven.
11. By the recitation of the Rosary you shall obtain all that you ask of me.
12. Those who propagate the holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of their death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my beloved children and the brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion for my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
Today, the rosary remains a cherished prayer and a profound source of spiritual solace for the faithful and a means of deepening our connection with Jesus through the loving eyes of His mother, Mary.
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The Brown Scapular
In 1251, the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, appeared before St. Simon Stock, a devoted Carmelite, and presented him with a small but significant object—the brown scapular.
The brown scapular, two pieces of wool cloth connected by a string, was given to St. Simon Stock. This design allowed for the scapular to be worn discreetly, hidden beneath one's clothing, much like the scapular of a religious habit. It became a tangible symbol of devotion to the Virgin Mary, a cherished reminder of her loving presence in one's life.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel spoke these words of solace and reassurance to St. Simon: "Receive, my beloved son, this scapular of thy Order; it is the special sign of my favor, which I have obtained for thee and for thy children of Mount Carmel. He who dies clothed with this habit shall be preserved from eternal fire. It is the badge of salvation, a shield in time of danger, and a pledge of special peace and protection."
For centuries, the brown scapular has been embraced and worn in silent devotion. It serves as a constant reminder of our connection to Our Lady and a tangible sign of Mary's protection and an expression of love.
The Miraculous Medal
In 1830, a sacred encounter unfolded when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared before St. Catherine Labouré of France.
As St. Catherine beheld the apparition, she witnessed our Blessed Mother standing upon a globe, her hands outstretched, radiant rays of light emanating from her palms. A captivating inscription adorned the scene, conveying a profound message: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
The Blessed Mother instructed St. Catherine to:
"Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck. Those who repeat this prayer with devotion will be, in a special manner, under the protection of the Mother of God. Graces will be abundantly bestowed upon those who have confidence."
Today, the Miraculous Medal continues to inspire devotion and draw believers closer to the loving embrace of Mary. It serves as a constant reminder of her unfailing intercession, providing a source of comfort and hope in times of uncertainty.