Tag Archives: Alphonse Ratisbonne
Happy Miraculous Medal Day
Today is the feast of the Miraculous Medal. As I only recently visited the Church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, where the most well-known Miraculous Medal miracle took place, I would like to tell the story of that miracle (but not before mentioning a fact music buffs may appreciate: the composer Alessandro Scarlatti was married in this historic church in 1678).
The Story of the Miraculous Medal
Early this century, Pope Saint Pius X declared that “true devotion to Christ demands true devotion to Mary.” More recently, Pope John Paul II urged an increase in devotion to the Mother of God while visiting the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Forgotten Converts
Most U.S. Catholics have probably heard of St. Edith Stein, though many may know nothing about her except that she was a convert and died in a Nazi concentration camp. Some number will be aware that after her conversion — she was an atheist of Jewish descent — she became a Carmelite, taking the name in religion of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe
Our Lady especially loves little children. They are so guileless, so direct.
