The history of the Chapel
In 1815, by imperial decree the Daughters of Charity obtained The Hotel de Chatillon to establish its headquarters. On August 6, 1815, the solemn blessing of the chapeland the bodies of Saint Vincent of Paul and of Saint Louise Marillac, considered as two emblematic figures of the order. In the times of Santa Catalina Labouré, the chapel was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In 1849 the chapel of the Miraculous Virgin was enlarged and many interior renovations were done to the place. These changes were necessaryBefore the arrival of new sisters, after the incredible extension that the devotion to the miraculous medal had. In 1876, following the indications of Sister Catalina, the statue of the Powerful Virgin, which was placed on the commemorative altar of the appearances, Y on January 22, 1881 definitely installed. In 1880, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the apparitions in the Rue du Bac (Bac Street), an altar was placed on the site where the Virgin had appeared. In 1933 the Body of Saint Catherine Labouré in a glass reliquary under this altar. That same year, the armchair on which the Virgin Mary sat was transported to the chapel. In addition to this, a statue of the Virgin was placed on the Globe, which corresponds to the image of the Blessed Virgin, just as it appeared to Sister Catalina in 1830.
In 1930, for the centenary of the apparitions, the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception was restored and can currently receive easily a thousand people. In addition, new ornaments were made: a magnificent Way of the Cross of Carrara marble and a painting that represents the first appearance from the Virgin to Sister Catalina. Finally, between 1959 and 1999, new works were carried out, culminating in the solemn inauguration of the chapel on May 31, 1980, which was in charge of the Pope Juan Pablo II.
The miraculous chapel today
the miraculous chapel is located at number 140 Rue du Bac (rue du Bac), in the heart of Paris. Thousands of people come every day to shed their burdens, their worries and to deposit their intentions at the feet of the Holy Virgin, who welcomes them with open hands full of graces for their lives. In fact, the call that the Mother of God made on July 18, 1830 has had a great influence on the church: “Come to the foot of this altar, there my graces will be extended to all the people who ask for them with confidence and with fervor”. This is how the pilgrims do not stop responding to this call to implore the assistance of the Queen of Heaven. It should be noted that, since 1930, these graces have continued to be poured out on souls, and the hundreds of votive offerings presented testify to the thousands of graces received by the hands of Mary: miracleshealings, conversions and protection.
Every day, the sisters, priests and laity belonging to the chapel of the Rue du Bac they welcome pilgrims in groups or individually. They not only welcome them, but also have the mission of spreading the Rue du Bac message to all the souls that come to that place.
In fact, the team in charge of the chapel has implemented a telephone service that allows, for example, to deposit the prayer intentionsto the Virgin of the miraculous medal. Those intentions are presented to the Virgin Mary at Mass on Tuesday.
In addition, a souvenir shop has been made available that not only offers the miraculous medal in all its shapes and colors, but also books and DVDs that compile the history of the apparitions and the message that the Virgin transmitted at that time.
In 1909 the Miraculous Medal Association was founded with a mission that includes:
- Honor Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, through a Christian life true and the diffusion of the miraculous medal.
- Pray for priestly, religious and missionary vocations, and help their formation through the missionary scholarships of the miraculous medal.
Keep in mind that, to respond to the call of the Holy Virgin, there are many prayers and in particular a novena to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. Come and pray to him today!