How the Miraculous Medal Changed My Life by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. Below is from a talk Fr. Hardon has given various times. One of the most memorable experiences that I ever had was with the Miraculous Medal! It changed my life. In the fall of 1948, the year after my ordination, I was in what we call the Tertianship. This is a third year of Novitiate before taking final vows. In October of that year, a Vincentian priest came to speak to us young Jesuit priests. He encouraged us to obtain faculties, as they are called, to enroll people in the Confraternity of the Miraculous Medal. Among other things, he said, "Fathers, the Miraculous Medal works. Miracles have been performed by Our Lady through the Miraculous Medal." I was not impressed by what the Vincentian priest was telling. I was not the medal-wearing kind of person and I certainly did not have a Miraculous Medal. But I thought to myself, "It does not cost anything." So I put my name down to get a four page leaflet from the Vincentians, with the then-Latin formula for blessing Miraculous Medals and enrolling people in the Confraternity of the Miraculous Medal. About two weeks later, I got the leaflet for blessing and enrollment, put it into my office book and forgot about it. In February of the next year, I was sent to assist the chaplain of St. Alexis Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. I was to be there helping the regular chaplain for two weeks. Each morning I received a list of all the patients admitted into the hospital that day. There were so many Catholics admitted that I could not visit them all as soon as they came. Among the patients admitted was a boy about nine years old. He had been sled-riding down hill, lost control of the sled and ran into a tree head-on. He fractured his skull and X-rays showed he had suffered severe brain damage. When I finally got to visit his room at the hospital, he had been in a coma for ten days, no speech, no voluntary movements of the body. His condition was such that the only question was whether he would live. There was no question of recovering from what was diagnosed as permanent and inoperble brain damage. After blessing the boy and consoling his parents, I was about to leave his hospital room. But then a thought came to me. "That Vincentian priest. He said, 'The Miraculous Medal works.' Now this will be a test of its alleged miraculous powers!" I didn't have a Miraculous Medal of my own. And everyone I asked at the hospital also did not have one. But I persisted, and finally one of the nursing sisters on night duty found a Miraculous Medal. What I found out was that you don't just bless the medal, you have to put it around a person's neck on a chain or ribbon. So the sister-nurse found a blue ribbon for the medal, which made me feel silly. What was I doing with medals and blue ribbons. However, I blessed the medal and had the father hold the leaflet for investing a person in the Confraternity of the Miraculous Medal. I proceeded to recite the words of investiture. No sooner did I finish the prayer of enrolling the boy in the Confraternity than he opened his eyes for the first time in two weeks. He saw his mother and said, "Ma, I want some ice cream." He had been given only intravenous feeding. This Experience Changed My Life Then he proceeded to talk to his father and mother. After a few minutes of stunned silence, a doctor was called. The doctor examined the boy and told the parents they could give him something to eat. The next day began a series of tests on the boy's condition. X-rays showed the brain damage was gone. Then still more tests. After three days, when all examinations showed there was complete restoration to health, the boy was released from the hospital. This experience so changed my life that I have not been the same since. My faith in God, faith in His power to work miracles, was strengthened beyond description. Since then, of course, I have been promoting devotion to Our Lady and the use of the Miraculous Medal. The wonders she performs, provided we believe, are extraordinary. In teaching theology over the years, I have many semesters taught the theology of miracles. And I have an unpublished book manuscript on "The History and Theology of Miracles." My hope is to publish the manuscript in the near future.
Thank you, Sam. It was wonderful to learn of your spiritual bouquet. And thank you, Fatima, for your timely message of hope.
One commenter noted "Around 28 mins in Fr. Heilman says that those exorcists who’ve called for fasting on 12/6 did so because they all heard similar specific very disturbing things separately in different situations during exorcisms about a very powerful demon in the church." Maike Hickson tweet: Father Heilman reveals that he received reports from different exorcists who all heard the same message from demons during exorcisms. The message pertains to some great evil, but it is not specifically stated what. But that is the reason for their 12/6 call for prayer and fasting. Bree A. Dail tweet: These exorcists were not aware that Sr Agnes had received a message, at that time. We had just been told, &within hours, the exorcists called completely out of the blue, approaching with their call to prayer. This may be confirmed by witness to these events, if requested. Another Bree A. Dail tweet: I can confirm that a source—outside that of @RadioWqph—communicated to me and another international journalist Sr Agnes’ message, including “the prophesies seem imminent”. We were told “Nov 3 would be a turning point”. Obviously not enough information to publish at that time.
I didn't really pick up on this. Good insight. Exorcists are always so interesting. They are our front line troops so to speak. I see the video you refer to is headlined on , 'Spirit Daily'. So interesting. Exorcists are people, because of what they do who have eyes and ears into the Spiritual Realm. The true reality of things. I was trying to understand why many very good, devout Catholics are totally blind ,deaf and dumb about what is going on in the Church and the world. I came across this very short video on the Works of CS Lewis which might explain why. That many Christians deny the existence of the Supernatural/ Mystical and so , effectively, kill the Gospel message.
Rather than a mystery for each decade, I've been offering select intentions for each decade: Pope Francis, Benedict & all priests for one decade, all Protestant friends and those who don't understand devoted Catholics, all in my circle to be in some state of grace when the Warning comes (this is new), those of us who have an idea of things to come-we manage through with confidence in knowing the Truth and Be in the protection of Our Lady, etc. If that means I end up praying 6 or 7 decades during my daily deliveries, so be it. I'm just grateful for the cattle prod to get back to a daily rosary!
Yep. I am having real difficulty getting "real" with what is coming. I am praying and making Holy Hours and I am trying to work up my courage to speak to others of my family. I even rehearse in my mind how I want to say it but if I stand outside of .y own faith and convictions and put myself in their shoes I realize how off the wall it all sounds. I am reminded of Scrooge when Jacob Marley was earnestly contesting for his soul. He said he wouldnt believe because Marley's ghost might be "a bit of underdone potato. There is more of gravy than grave to you." Marley thundered back "O man of the worldly mind!!!" And goes on to howl in grief and horror at Scrooge's hardened heart. To me this is what it is like. Here is how I have framed it: 3 significant mortally serious things have happened. 1)the abomination of desolation in the holy place with the pachamama desecration 2)Sister Agnes receiving a message from her angel for ashes and penitential Rosaries. Sister Agnes saying she feels the Akita prophesies are very near. 3)4 exorcists from divers places around the world finding out during exorcisms from the demons of a dark very powerful demon about to be unleashed on the Church and comparing notes and feeling the urgency of calling for penance abstinence Rosaries Holy Mass and prayers to the Sacred Heart on December 6. But to comprehend God's mercy in these warnings requires supernatural faith. Sadly that is not the case with my family members. I find myself pleading with Our Mother "they have no wine!" I dont know what to do.
AED, this is a great summary of the recent grave issues. They are pressing. I don’t know what to tell you to do other than you are doing over and above all you can do. I think when it comes to saying something to your family, I think say it very simply and leave the results and consequences in Our Lady’s hands. You just carry the message. Maybe just one simple time, one simple message. That will leave the door open a crack and then the rest is up to God. And them. I usually just refer to it as the Church being under attack by evil forces. That’s simple. Advent has messages of penitence now, and also foreshadowing of the Day of the Lord. So this another example of God’s providential timing. We are all here for each other during these trying times which, as you said, give one whiplash. Another way I pray is to ask Our Lord to put the right people around them to help them. Jesus, I trust in You.
This reading came to me last month and again when I read your concerns. I think it's important going forward to remember this, fear not, and Trust God: "When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved." Matthew:10 19-22
I believe this is for our times -- There is a coming (short) persecution/holocaust of Christians & their martyr-blood will usher in the Illumination of Conscience/Warning.
There is no doubt that this great evil is the spirit of Deception -- and this is going to lead to our persecution!!
Yes, there is a persecution coming (actually expanding to the West, it's already ongoing in the Middle East and Africa, spreading now in South and Central America, Canada, on the verge in the US). It was part of the epiphany I experienced last month, sure of it as I know my name. Not sure how they wrest control here in the US but it has something to do with our government falling or being taken over. We've been told many times this would come, even by our hierarchy: "I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square. His successor will pick up the shards of a ruined society and slowly help rebuild civilization, as the church has done so often in human history."
So true AED! It won't be our words they listen to. I think siting very simple short statements from our Lady might help. I know when my mom was in her final couple days, my sister told her her husband and son especially needed her to watch over them. Now what does that imply coming from a sister also away from the Church? I have sent both sisters very minimal articles simply for their review. The one told me a year ago she has actually read everything I have emailed her. The other just said they were written by a cruel person trying to take advantage of a good person's faith. She strikes me more of a Matthew who barely knows how or doesn't have the courage to ask for forgiveness, in spite of my encouragement. Her remorse & acknowledgement are in her heart, voiced during our family vigil. That gave me reason to sing in my heart and seek a very gentle approach with her. Yes, I agree it feels incredibly surreal!! Sometimes I still think, REALLY??? seriously?
You know instead of thinking, 'What am I going to do if this or that or the other in the future in the Church and the world?' ..we would be better relaxing and pleasing ourselves by thinking, 'What is God going to do in the future in the Church and the World?' It is God's Church, it is God's and He will take care of them both since He loves them far better than we ever could. Trust that when the time of trial comes He will take you by the Hand and lead you as He always His Our Holy Mother, His Bride, the Church.
Absolutely one of the best post here at MOG....please everyone..read this and BELIEVE! thank you for posting this....the Miraculous Medal is indeed powerful!
AED... You are already doing it....only spiritual warfare can ...and will work! Your prayers will save your family...as will mine. Our Lady promised us! You are doing everything you can. Gods Grace is sufficient!
