I recently heard from Elizabeth, a woman I had met a few years ago when I was giving a talk to a women’s group at West Point in New York. Elizabeth wanted to let me know that she was enjoying one of my latest books, The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers, and Devotions.
She shared, “It brought me to tears of happiness several times.”
Elizabeth told me that she wears “a bracelet containing medals of the saints who are especially important to me.” She went on to describe them all. There’s St. Barbara – patroness of the Field Artillery. Elizabeth wears that one because her husband is a field artillery officer. St. Michael the Archangel is the next medal. She said she wears it “To protect my husband.” Next on her bracelet is, St. Patrick (after her son Patrick). Then comes St. Joan of Arc “because of her strength.” St. George is next (because of her son George). Next is Our Lady of Perpetual Help “because I need her,” she simply stated. St. Anthony is next. Elizabeth loves him because “he is the great finder.” She has placed St. Francis next on her bracelet “because his zeal inspires me,” she shared.
St. Therese of Lisieux is next to the others “because her ‘Little Way’ is such a powerful witness.” St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is next on her bracelet “because I was named for her and born on her feast day and have always prayed for her intercession as a mother,” Elizabeth explained. And then there’s St. Thomas More because Elizabeth is a lawyer and asks for his intercession in her work.
To complete the blessed circle of medals is the Miraculous Medal which was given to Elizabeth by her grandmother. Elizabeth shared that her grandmother “was notorious for asking, with very knowing eyes, ‘Have you consulted the Blessed Mother?’” whenever Elizabeth spoke of a dilemma or concern.
One time Elizabeth’s husband was away at military training and Elizabeth was home alone with all of the kids for a month. After awhile, she got to feeling a bit weary being alone with all of their care. But she did enjoy reading about the history of the Miraculous Medal and modern-day Miraculous Medal stories too from my book whenever she’d get a few minutes of quiet to do so.
She shared that it was during that time that she became upset because, “While I was reading your book, I lost my Miraculous Medal.” It was nowhere to be found. “I was upset about losing this medal, and prayed that I would find it.”
During her husband’s absence, Elizabeth began to feel even more exhausted and worn down from all of her responsibilities and no one to help her. She felt lonely too, and started to feel just a bit sorry for herself. She at times didn’t remember to “consult” the Blessed Mother as her grandmother had suggested to her in the past. At other times, she indeed reached out to Mother Mary in prayer but still felt stuck.
One night after she put the kids to bed she couldn’t shake the feeling of not being appreciated for all she did in the home and frustrated that she couldn’t work outside the home. She was feeling too weary to cope with her feelings.
But, it was getting late and though Elizabeth was very tired, she knew that before she could relax and settle down for the night, she had to deal with some dirty dishes that were in the sink waiting for her.
“As I pulled on my rubber gloves at about 9:30 PM to finish the dinner dishes, I felt something strange in the finger of the gloves. I reached in the glove and found my Miraculous Medal!”
Elizabeth was ecstatic to have found her cherished Miraculous Medal given to her by her grandmother.
“What really struck me though,” she revealed, “is the small grace I received in finding the medal.” She continued to recount her experience.
“Bent over the kitchen sink, tired from a busy day, and lonely, I was reminded that this vocation of motherhood is something I share with our Blessed Mother, and she too, knows the simultaneous feelings of love and fatigue that motherhood entails.”
Elizabeth had much to think about as she stood by her kitchen sink that particular evening, drinking in the miraculous graces as she prayed for strength.
“I washed those greasy dishes and prayed for the grace to get through the next day. She, [Mother Mary] of course provided. Had I not been reading your book, I might not have been so aware or appreciative of the small miracle. Thank you very much for your continued ministry.”
My questions for you, dear reader…
What small (or big) grace has unfolded in your life? Might God be asking you to pause and ponder–to stop and reflect on His amazing presence in your life–maybe even amid the pots and pans and small details of life?
Have you “consulted” with the Blessed Mother for help and guidance in your life? Blessed Mother Teresa, whom I was so blessed to know taught me a simple yet succinct prayer: “Mary, Mother of Jesus, be a Mother to me now.” Mother Mary knows our hearts. Don’t be afraid to reach out to her.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (inscribed on the Miraculous Medal).
[PS Elizabeth gave her permission to share her story]
What a beautiful story, dear Donna-Marie. This is just the reminder that I need today. To pause and ponder on God;s amazing presence.
This inspires me to start reading your Miraculous Medal Book immediately. I am presently reading your Mother Teresa and Me book, and it’s wonderful. . God bless you, God bless Elizabeth.
<3. All my thanks to you.
“Mary, Mother of Jesus, be a Mother to me now.”
Thank you very much for your sweet comment, Nancy. May God bless you!
Hello Donna-Marie!
I just finished this wonderful book. I received a small 14k gold Miraculous Medal when I made my First Holy Communion. Through several moves and a ton of poor decisions and chaos of my 20’s, I still have it. Until I read your book, I really never realized how fortunate I was to still have it. I hardly ever wore it because I was afraid I would lose it, but I did have it soldered onto my charm bracelet several years ago.
Fast forward 10+ years , my mom gave me a beautiful silver Miraculous Medal for Christmas one year — actually, I believe I was pregnant with my youngest at the time. I thought it was so beautiful and put it on a chain next to a small gemstone cross that my husband gave me. It seemed like a good idea to have both Mary and Jesus near me. After reading your book, I noticed others had the same idea.
Your book also made me stop and think about all the graces I have received since wearing it faithfully every day; there have been many! To my knowledge my metal hasn’t even been blessed. Should I have that done? Does it need to be done by my priest or are there other ways a medal can be blessed – like touching it to a relic, Holy water, or something else?
I bought my mom a Miraculous Metal for Christmas. A few days later I was listening to my local Catholic radio station and I believe you were doing in an interview about your book. I was driving at the time but when I got home I looked it up on Amazon. I bought the paperback for my mom and the Kindle version for myself. Even though I have had for several of months, I just read it — and I’m so glad I did! I learned so much.
I’m a lifelong Catholic who, over the past 4 years, or so has just discovered how very little I knew about my faith. I am so enjoying discovering and experiencing (for the first time in my life) the beauty and fullness of the Catholic faith. Thank you for being part of my journey.
The prayers and devotions you included in the book are wonderful and I know I’ll be referring to them often.
I also ordered and just received all your Bringing Home Lent books with the book of Saints – as well as a Miraculous Medal that I hope to pass on to someone who needs it.
Thank you for all you do!
Christie
Dear Christie, How nice to read your comment! How beautiful that you were touched when reading about the history of the Miraculous Medal as well as modern day stories about it through my book The Miraculous Medal. I am so glad that you have been inspired. Thank you for sharing your story about the Miraculous Medals in your life.
To answer your question about getting your medal blessed, it may already be blessed, but certainly by touching it to a relic or putting holy water on it as you have mentioned is very good. But, I would like to suggest that you have the medal blessed by a priest. It is done very quickly and any priest would be very happy to oblige. The medal I sent with your book order is already blessed by a priest, plus I touched it to a relic (the blessed Miraculous Medal I wear that Blessed Mother Teresa gave me).
I am so happy to hear that in the past years you are enjoying discovering the fulness of the Catholic faith. I am so happy to be part of your journey!
May God continue to bless you, Christie. I hope if you haven’t already, you’ll consider subscribing to my email newsletter which is easy to do. The subscribe button is in the right hand column of this website.
God bless!
Donna-Marie
Donna-Marie:
I also enjoyed your book on the Miraculous Medal. It was full of inspiring stories.
One Sunday evening a few years ago, I was looking through an old purse, searching for something. I ran my hand inside a side pocket and felt a small case. I pulled a rosary case containing a beautiful blue rosary a friend had sent me.
I thought I had lost that rosary months earlier and missed it.
At the time, one of my children was going through a difficult time. I felt an immediate sense of peace after I found that rosary.
It was as if the Blessed Mother was gently saying to me, “I’m with you and everything is going to be alright.”
It turned out things did indeed improve.
Thank you, Donna-Marie for sharing your faith and your books.
I am so happy to hear that you have enjoyed my book “The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers, and Devotions.” How wonderful that you found your special Rosary and that you felt that the Blessed Mother was letting you know that everything would be alright. I am sure that the Virgin Mary loves when you pray the Rosary.
May God continue to bless you!
Donna-Marie
Hi Donna,
I just finished reading your book “The Miraculous Medal Stories, Prayers, and Devotions. What made me buy your book?
I attended the Divine Mercy Conference in Oakland this month. One of the speakers was Zachary King who is a Satanist but was snatched by the Virgin Mary through the Miraculous Medal. After watching his DVD, I went to Amazon and bought your book. I noticed that it was published 2013. I was thinking that maybe, when you publish your book for the next edition, you may want to add the story of Zachary King. This is my first blog. I just want to inform you about the story of Zachary King. God Bless!
Hi, I loved reading that little story about the medal found in the glove. I have so many stories of how this special medal has helped me and others I know
Just recently, the day before yesterday my friend gave me a purse as a present. She said she had put a coin in as custom … Later when I looked for it I could not find any money there. Finally searching in one of the compartments , I found one old, blue and miraculous ( oval ) medal.
Thinking this was my friends idea … I told her I had found this ok. She looked puzzled and said she had definitely, most DEFINITELY, put a pound coin in. I believe her because she is most precise and never absentminded.
When I showed her the medal, she looked amazed, and said that this medal was kept in her box at home and she had not taken this out. She could not think how the medal had got from the box to the purse and replaced a coin.
Still pondering, and wondering what Our Lady is saying to me ..
Thank you for commenting and sharing, Jo. That is a beautiful story! Have you read my book: “The Miraculous Medal: Stories, Prayers, and Devotions”? I include many stories in it. May God bless you and Mother Mary hold you close!
Hi Donna Marie, I heard you on take 2 with debbie and jerry ewtn radio at noon today, and would like to ask how can i get one of your Miraculous Medal’s Please.
thank you, God Bless Gary
Hi Gary,
You can send me a SASE to PO Box 773, New Milford, CT with a little note asking for a blessed Miraculous Medal.
God bless!
Donna-Marie
Thank you, Donna Marie, and I saw there you have it on your page, so I bought it there, along with your Miraculous Medal Prayer book.
Thank you, God Bless you and your family there.
Gary J Yaw
I’m glad you found it, Gary. In fact, your order is already on its way to you! God bless you!