Contents. To the Reader..2. Introduction...3

Transcription

1 1 Contents To the Reader..2 Introduction...3 Part I: The Medal Beginning of the Marian Age...5 Saint Catherine s Mission 6 Catherine and Our Lady of Lourdes..7 Connection to Our Lady of All Nations.7 Connection to Our Lady of America..9 Connection to Our Lady of Medjugorje.9 Connection to Our Lady of Fatima. 10 Fatima and Its Fulfillment...11 The Medal of Redemption, Grace, and Peace...12 Part II: The Imagery Front of Medal: All the Glory of the King s Daughter is within O Mary, conceived without sin, Pray for Us.15 The Crown and 12 Stars...15 The Rays of Light 16 The Golden Orb...16 The Sash around Mary s Waist..16 The Rings on Mary s Fingers.. 16 The Moon under Her Feet.17 Standing over the Earth and America.17 Crushing the Serpent/Dragon 18 Back of Medal: The Cross and the M.18 The Two Hearts United as One.19 The 12 Stars...20 Why Round 20 Why Dominic Medals..20 Why Silver.21 Part III: The Devotion Come, Holy Spirit, Come 23 Through the Woman Clothed with the Sun..24 All the Glory of the King s Daughter is within 24 Part IV: The Dogma The New and Final Marian Dogma 27 Conclusion..31

2 2 To The Reader The Purity Medal marks the beginning of a spiritual journey, a journey that has led me to a greater knowledge of the past, a deeper understanding of the present, and a determined hope for the future. The Purity Medal has motivated and intensified my spirituality and discernment. It has inspired me to live a life more pleasing to God and has given me the tools necessary to pursue this devotional medal. My journey began in July of That summer, my family and I visited an apparition site, during which I experienced a special calling. At the time, I had no idea what it meant, but I knew I was being called towards something of particular importance. In December of that same year, I came across a Medjugorje message. Quoted November 27, 1989, Our Lady said, These days, I want you to pray in a special way for the salvation of souls. Today is the Feast of the Miraculous Medal, and I want that you pray in a special way for the salvation of those people who are carrying this Miraculous Medal. I want you to spread the devotion and the carrying of this medal, so that more souls may be saved, and that you pray in a special way. 1 A crucial part of this message stood out to me: Our Lady kept saying, this Miraculous Medal. Our Lady did not say, the Miraculous Medal. Upon this, I felt that she wanted her image on a medal, but the image would be different from the current Miraculous Medal. I had no idea what sort of image she desired, so a group of us began looking deeper into the history of the Miraculous Medal. This research turned into over nine years of intense study, discernment, and dialogue with the Church. It has led us to a number of other approved Marian apparitions which have confirmed and promoted this Purity Medal Devotion: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Rue du Bac, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of LaSalette, Our Lady of All Nations, and Our Lady of America. This medal is more than just a simple image. It is the culmination of the Marian Age, beginning with Saint Catherine Laboure, in 1830, and allegedly continuing today, in Medjugorje. The Purity Medal personifies many of the credible and important heavenly images and messages into a single Mosaic, a single, united medal for our times. An important thing to understand is that this medal has been inspired by private revelation. As the Catechism states, [Private revelation] does not belong to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ's definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. 2 This is exactly what we aspire to do: live more fully the Revelations of Christ, through the inspirations of the Purity Medal. Pope Urban VIII stated: "In cases which concern private revelations, it is better to believe than not to believe, for, if you believe, and it is proven true, you will be happy that you have believed, because our Holy Mother asked it. If you believe, and it should be proven false, you will receive all blessings as if it had been true, because you believed it to be true." The choice is ultimately yours on how you use the knowledge presented. Taken from the words of Saint Bernadette, [Our] job is to inform, not to convince. We hope this medal inspires you, just as it has inspired us and all those who have stood by us. May this medal instill within you a renewed fire for Christ and a greater love for Our Blessed Mother. 1 Friend of Medjugorje. Words from Heaven: Messages of Our Lady from Medjugorje. (16th ed. Sterrett, Alabama USA: Caritas of Birmingham, 2006.) Catechism of the Catholic Church. (New York: Doubleday, 1995.) 67.

3 3 Introduction Jesus and Mary have been appearing all over the world, especially in recent times. They come with heavenly messages and visions, requesting that they be lived, spread, and promoted. There have been many private revelations given by Our Lady over the course of the last two centuries, revelations that have come to be known as the Marian Age. Many people have focused on one particular Marian message or image, while others have tried to connect several. The Purity Medal personifies many credible and important heavenly images of our time into one single mosaic, one heavenly medal. The medal is two-sided. The front image encompasses aspects of the approved apparitions: Rue du Bac, Lourdes, Fatima, Guadalupe, La Salette, Amsterdam, and the United States of America. The back image remains faithful to the original Miraculous Medal image, which perfectly represents the unity and coming triumph of the two Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Accompanied with the image is a prayer, a prayer invented for the purpose of purifying ourselves in unity with the Holy Spirit: Come, Holy Spirit, come, through the Woman clothed with the Sun, all the glory of the King s Daughter is within. The Purity Medal is carried or worn as a sacramental sign of purity and unity, to help prepare for, bring about, and eventually celebrate the great heavenly renewal of our time: The proclamation of the fifth and final Marian Dogma. The Purity Medal is ultimately an icon, an icon through which, we hope, the Will of the Father can be realized through the coming of His Mother. The Father, the Lord and Master, has willed the Handmaid of the Lord to come into this world as Mary. She was chosen among all women as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate. 3 God has willed this dogma to come about, just as He willed Mary to become the Mother of God. However, God s will is ultimately determined by our yes. By carrying this Purity Medal, we not only promote the declaration of this dogma, but we tangibly actualize our devotion to Mary. The Purity Medal represents our acceptance of God s Will, wearing it close to our heart as a symbol of love for our heavenly Queen and Mother: Our Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate. For this dogma, this proclamation, It is the crowning of your Lady! 4 3 Ibid Ibid. 81.

4 Part I: The Medal 4

5 5 Beginning of the Marian Age On the eve of July 19, 1830, Our Lady appeared in Rue du Bac, France, to a sister by the name of Catherine Labourѐ. Coming to her that night as Virgin of the Chair, Mary made it known to Catherine that, as the Queen of Heaven and Earth, she would be entrusting Catherine with a special mission. She spoke to Catherine saying, There will be bad times to come The whole world will be turned upside-down by misfortunes of all kinds. But come to the foot of this altar. There, graces will be poured out on all those, small, or great, who ask for them with confidence and fervor. Graces will be poured out especially on those who ask him for them. 5 Our Lady is calling all of her children to come to the foot of the altar.., because it is at the altar where we encounter the throne of God. However, we don t always recognize that Mary is seated there also. In humble obedience to God s will, Mary became the Mother of God, but in becoming His Mother, she also became His Queen. At the beginning of King David s rule, God made a promise to him saying, Your house and kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever (2 Samuel 7:16). We see this promise fulfilled in Luke 1:31-33, when the Angel Gabriel appears to Mary proclaiming, Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and the Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father and He will rule of the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end. Jesus would claim the throne of David as king, and Mary would be crowned His queen. Following David s reign, it became part of Davidic tradition for the king s mother to be crowned queen and given a seat next to her son. Then [Solomon] sat down upon his throne, and a throne was provided for the king s mother [Bathsheba], who sat at his right. There is one small favor I would ask of you, she said, Do not refuse me. Ask it, my mother, the king said to her, for I cannot refuse you (1 Kings 2:19-20). Furthermore, not only does she sit next to the king, but she also has a powerful influence over the King s decisions, and thus, can intercede for her people. Mary s motherly intercession was first displayed at the wedding feast at Cana. However, she intercedes in a way that signifies her unity with her Son s will. His mother said to the servers, Do whatever he tells you (John 2:5). Jesus cannot refuse his mother, while at the same time, Mary s role is to guide us towards a greater unity to God s will. As quoted by Pope Benedict XVI, Mary s greatness consists in the fact that she wants to magnify God, not herself. Almost 190 years ago, this Davidic tradition would be actualized in Mary s first appearance to Saint Catherine. God allowed Mary to come to Catherine as Virgin of the Chair, emphasizing her role as both queen and mother, just as Solomon acknowledged his mother and seated Bathsheba next to him as queen. To begin the Marian Age, this biblical image is how God wanted to reveal His mother. He desires us to come to the foot of the altar, just as Mary does, calling us to recognize that she is present there interceding for and guiding us towards 5 Rene Laurentin. The Life of Catherine Laboure. Translated by Paul Inwood. (London: Collins Liturgical Pub., 1983.) 75.

6 6 offering ourselves to God with greater confidence and fervor. Graces will then be poured out on those who are ready to accept and fulfill God s will in their lives. Saint Catherine s Mission On November 27, 1830, four months after the Virgin of the Chair revelation, Saint Catherine s mission would be confirmed and thus, requested by Our Lady. Mary would reveal to Saint Catherine three images: the first was the Virgin of the Globe. The second was, what is now known as, the Miraculous Medal, and finally, the third image which was the M surmounted with a little cross and, at the foot of it, the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The first image, the Virgin of the Globe was described by Catherine as such: Our Lady held a large ball in her hands, which represented a globe. She held her hands at the height of her stomach, in a very relaxed way, with her eyes raised towards heaven...suddenly I noticed rings on her fingers which gave out rays of light she illuminates with a bright light Around, there would be: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us. 6 This was then followed by the second image, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal described by Catherine as follows: I perceived the Blessed Virgin standing, dressed in white, medium height, her face so beautiful that it would be impossible for me to tell of her beauty. She had a silk dress, white like the dawn From her hands came rays of light, beautifully glittering, and as if in bundles at the same moment heard a voice saying: These rays of light are a symbol of the graces that Mary obtains for men. Surrounding the picture she read the following invocation in golden letters: O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. 7 Following this second image proceeded the third and last: the letter M surmounted with a little cross and, at the foot of it, the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. 8 Our Lady s words were simple: A medal must be struck on this model, and those who carry one with an indulgence attached and who piously make this short prayer will enjoy the special protection of the Mother of God. 9 Catherine immediately took these images to her confessor, Father Aladel. During that time, there was much contemplation in the Church about Mary and her Immaculate Conception. For Father Aladel, the image of Mary s arms outstretched seemed to promote most effectively the deliberation taking place. However, Aladel was against this globe which introduced a different vision and ran the risk of bewildering the fervent. The globe in the hands, together with the one under the feet, would have introduced two representations of the world on one and the same picture; and then, the hands were closed, not opened. Was the new image to become the proper representation of the apparition? How was it to be explained, if so? A rectification? A complimentary image? Another phase? Another apparition? Aladel was in favor of keeping things as simple as possible and did not want to get involved in a morass of this 6 Ibid Ibid Ibid Ibid.

7 7 kind. 10 On June 30th, 1832, Father Aladel approved the second and third image, having the very first miraculous medals struck. However, although the Miraculous Medal received Catherine s approval, she persisted further for the first image Our Lady revealed to her. But over and over again, Father Aladel denied her requests. It was the martyrdom of my life, 11 admitted Catherine. Shortly before her death, Catherine would settle for a Virgin of the Globe statue to be built and placed on the very spot Our Lady appeared to her. That same image now sits above Saint Catherine s grave. The imparting of the confidences and the realization of the statue were a great relief for Catherine and brought her much peace. Too many obstacles had bruised her, too many refusals had torn her between obedience to the Virgin and obedience to the confessors who rejected her requests. Her conscience had suffered violently. 12 Through much guidance and discernment, we believe that it is our duty to resurrect the image by which Saint Catherine suffered so violently to get approved. Catherine and Our Lady of Lourdes As understood during the apparitions at Rue du Bac, there was much talk of a new and third Marian Dogma. St. Catherine s confessor, Father Aladel, believed that the second image, of the now Miraculous Medal, best supported this new understanding of Mary. No more than twenty-five years later, in 1854, Pope Pius IX would officially declare the third Marian Dogma: The Immaculate Conception of Mary. However, Father Aladel would not support the creation of another medal struck with the Virgin of the Globe image. No one listened to Catherine and because of this, Catherine made a request to Our Lady. According to sisters in the abbey, they found in Catherine s belongings a piece of paper: on it were written these words in [Catherine s] own handwriting: My kind Mother, here no one wants to do what you want: manifest yourself somewhere else! 13 On February 11, 1858, Our Lady would make herself known to a young girl, named Bernadette, confirming the Dogma declared by the Church, and proclaiming, I am the Immaculate Conception. When Saint Catherine found out about the Lourdes apparition, she knew that Mary had answered her prayer, exclaiming, It is the same one! 14 What is most extraordinary, wrote Sr. Dufes, [Catherine s] Superior, Is that without having read any of the published works, Sr. Catherine was more conversant with what had taken place there than those who had actually made the pilgrimage. 15 Because of the connection found between Catherine and Bernadette, we began to recognize the importance of educating ourselves on all approved and most important Marian manifestations. In doing so, we began finding many more connections, connections that no one could have made without researching one alongside the other. For, in fact, it is the same woman, 10 Ibid Ibid Ibid Ibid Ibid. 15 Ibid.

8 8 our Mother and our Queen, who out of complete love for humanity, brings the same messages of hope and promises of peace, if we do as she has asked. Connection to Our Lady of All Nations The messages from Our Lady of All Nations specifically began on March 25, 1945, appearing to a young woman by the name of Ida Peerdeman. However, Our Lady s connection to Rue du Bac happened years later, while Ida Peerdeman was on pilgrimage in Paris, France. On May 31, 1969, Ida visited the shrine of St. Catherine Laboure at Rue du Bac and felt these words impressed upon her while receiving Communion: What began here [at Rue du Bac], will be continued by the Lady of All Nations. 16 Through Our Lady of All Nations, Mary would reveal the image by which salvation would come. Mary said: Child, pass on that those who fight and labor for the cause, which the Son desires should succeed, should do so with great ardor and zeal I will help them. This picture has an only preparatory function It will be used as a preparatory work for peace and redemption. Later on they will use the picture for the Co-Redemptrix. 17 On December 8, 1952, Our Lady gave her instructions for the picture saying, This picture must be spread all over the world. It is the illustration of the new dogma This picture will go to the Netherlands, to Amsterdam It will be placed in the new church It will be entrusted to the care of the Dominicans This picture is to be placed on the altar built on the Gospel side. 18 Naturally, one could assume that the picture Our Lady spoke of was the Our Lady of All Nations painting described to Ida Peerdeman earlier on March 4, On May 31, 1956, Mary revealed the picture that she desired. From the place in which she stands, the Lady points to the Gospel side and says, the altar of the Lady is depicting the way in which I shall come. (All this I saw in sculpture, including the representation of the Lady, at which I was greatly surprised. Comparing it to the painting I thought, this representation in sculpture is not correct ) The Lady smiles and says, It is not the present picture that you see here 19 Our Lady had depicted an entirely new image. A beautiful connection made here is that this new image coincides with the first image, the Virgin of the Globe, shown to St. Catherine. On December 8, 1975, Ida Peerdeman describes it: From the sky I saw coming down the image of the Lady holding a cross and an orb in her hands I heard: Listen, it is she who will have to save the world. 20 The Purity Medal incorporates the unity of the single heavenly message of Our Lady to St. Catherine and to Ida Peerdeman and it is through this image that the world will be saved. As mentioned above, Our Lady told Ida Peerdeman that this image has a preparatory function and 16 Peerdeman. The Messages of The Lady of All Nations Ibid Ibid Ibid Ida Peerdeman. Eucharistic Experiences. Edited by Josef Franz. Künzli. (Goleta, CA: Queenship Pub., 1996.) 44.

9 9 will be used for the Co-Redemptrix. This picture will precede...a new dogma. 21 The new dogma will be the dogma of the Co-Redemptrix 22 For it is the wish of the Father and the Son to send me into the world in these times as the Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate. This will constitute a new and last Marian dogma. This picture will go before it. This dogma will be much disputed; and yet it will prevail. 23 A new dogma has been requested by the Blessed Mother, but one could ask the question: Why is this desire just now being conveyed and requested? On October 5, 1952, Our Lady said, How is it that this new title, the Lady of All Nations, only now enters the world? It is because the Lord reserved it for this present time. The other dogmas had to come first; just as her life on earth had to proceed the Lady of All Nations. 24 In light of Mary s words, every Marian dogma had a purpose in building up to the greatest and most profound Marian dogma, and just as the Miraculous Medal prepared the way for the Church to declare the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, so too is the desire for the Purity Medal to prepare the way for this new and final Marian dogma. Connection to Our Lady of America On September 25, 1956, the Blessed Mother came to America, making her first manifestation to Sister Mary Ephram in Rome City, Indiana. As I was making the Holy Hour from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., I was conscious of the distinct and special feeling of the presence of Our Lady I was under the impression that she came as Our Lady of Lourdes, and she herself confirmed this. Our Lady promised greater miracles than those granted at Lourdes and Fatima would be granted here in America, the United States in particular, if we would do what she desires. 25 Our Lady came, making a strong connection to Lourdes. Mary said, I am pleased, my child, with the love and honor my children in America give to me, especially through my glorious and unique privilege of the Immaculate Conception 26 By coming as Our Lady of Lourdes, she connected herself to Rue du Bac. Furthermore, in connecting with Rue du Bac, Mary connected herself with Our Lady of All Nations apparitions because she revealed to Ida Peerdeman, Rue du Bac s continuation through Our Lady of All Nations. Mary is trying to open our eyes to the fact that all these apparitions lead us towards one distinct purpose. God desires the declaration of a fifth and final dogma, which Our Lady of America would support and confirm this desire on February 11, I am the Mother of the sacred humanity, and it is my special work as Co- Redemptrix of the human race to help souls reach the sanctity of the Father in eternal union by showing them how to put on Christ, to imbibe His Spirit, and thus become one with Him. 27 Our Lady of America expressed to Sister Mary Ephram the importance of America s role is in the salvation of mankind. America, the United States in particular, is being given a 21 Peerdeman. The Messages of The Lady of All Nations Ibid Ibid Ibid Our Lady of America. Sister Mildred Mary Neuzil, (1993.) Ibid Ibid. 24.

10 10 tremendous, yet privileged, opportunity to lead all nations in a spiritual renewal never before so necessary, so important, so vital. 28 Once again, this is the same woman confirming, with each new apparition, the desires of her heart and ultimately the Will of God. Our Lady desires this final dogma not for herself, but because God desires it and, through it, promises peace. America has been given the great task of leading all nations to a purified spirit of renewal, so that the Will of God can be finally realized in the world. We pray that the Purity Medal will begin this renewal. Connection to Our Lady of Medjugorje On May 31, 1957, Our Lady of All Nations told Ida Peerdeman, Today I have come here in order to give the last message in public. 29 On July 17, 1958, Ida Peerdeman began having Eucharistic Experiences where Mary continued her messages. Towards the end of Our Lady of All Nation s apparitions, one Eucharistic Experience stood out to us: It was June 23, 1981, when Ida Peerdeman awoke with a premonition. When I awoke this morning, I had a premonition as if something was to happen and wondered what it could be. That feeling returned frequently, which led me to think it must be something extraordinary. Yet I had no inkling of what it could be. 30 The very next day, on June 24, 1981, the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, Our Lady allegedly appeared for the first time in Medjugorje. As of today, these messages are still taking place. Mary stated, I wish to keep on giving you messages as it has never been in history from the beginning of the world To date she has given over 15,000 messages in Medjugorje. However, within these widespread messages, there has not been one request made, by Our Lady, for the declaration of the fifth dogma. Why, after coming forty years to Ida Peerdeman as the Lady of All Nations, and speaking extensively about a fifth Marian dogma and its importance, has she not asked us to proclaim the fifth Marian dogma in Medjugorje? Once again, Mary gives us the answer. On November 25 th, 1987, she said: Dear children, you know that I love you immeasurably and that I desire each of you for myself, but God has given to all a freedom which I lovingly respect and humbly submit to. 32 Therefore, it is our human freedom that determines the outcome of this dogma. Just as the Father respects our free will, so does Mary. One must understand that the heavenly renewal, Our Lady promises, can only be accomplished through humanity s acceptance and cooperation. As published and quoted by the Marian Movement of Priests, Mary stated, I am the Woman Clothed with the Sun; I am in the Heart of the Most Holy Trinity. Until I am acknowledged there, where the Most Holy Trinity has willed me to be, I will not be able to exercise my power fully, in the maternal work of co-redemption and of the universal mediation of graces. 33 When we begin to fulfill her desires, then, and only then, will peace descend upon humanity. The Purity Medal is a tangible way to see this dogma to complete fulfillment. 28 Ibid Peerdeman. The Messages of The Lady of All Nations Peerdeman. Eucharistic Experiences "Messages: " Our Lady's Messages. February 2, (Accessed July 10, 2017.) 32 Ibid Mark Miravalle. Our Mother: Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate. (Saint Francis, ME: Marian Movement of Priests, 2000.) v.

11 11 Connection to Our Lady of Fatima On March 25, 1984, on the Feast of the Annunciation, three major events took place, which apart from each other would not make sense, but together, create a powerful message. 1. The last Eucharistic Experience recorded by Ida Peerdeman occurred on March 25, During Holy Mass at Holy Communion in our Chapel I heard the Voice saying very clearly: The period of the Lady of All Nations as Co-Redemptrix is drawing near. Heavenly music sounded in my ears and I saw a lustrous Crown, sparkling like diamonds On the alleged 1000 th apparition in Medjugorje, March 25, 1984, Our Lady spoke these words: Rejoice with me and with my angels because a part of my plan has already been realized. Many have been converted, but many do not want to be converted. Pray Pope John Paul II consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25, 1984: We wanted to choose this Sunday, third of lent of the year 1984, still during the Holy Year of the Redemption, for the Act of Entrustment, the consecration of the world, of the great human family, of all people, especially those who have great need of this consecration, of the expectation of those peoples for whom you yourself expect our act of consecration and entrustment. All this we have done according to our poor, human achievement, in the dimension of our human weakness. But with a huge trust in your motherly love, with a huge trust in your motherly care. 36 Has Our Lady of Fatima s request for the consecration of Russia been complete? You decide. Fatima and its Fulfillment The Blessed Mother linked Medjugorje, Our Lady of All Nations, and Fatima together on one significant day. This hardly seems coincidental. Furthermore, in Medjugorje, Mary allegedly made it known that the Medjugorje apparitions would lead to the fulfillment of her messages at Fatima. Dear children, today also I invite you to prayer, now as never before, when my plan has begun to be realized with your help, everything I wanted to realize, through the secrets I began in Fatima, may be fulfilled. 37 The apparitions of Fatima began on May 13, 1917 and continued for six months. Mary appeared to three children: Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. She asked the children, Will you offer yourselves to God, and bear all the sufferings He sends you? In atonement for all the sins that offend Him? And 34 Peerdeman. Eucharistic Experiences "Messages: " Our Lady's Messages. 36 John Paul II. "Invocation: Leaving the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima." March 25, (Accessed July 13, 2017.) 37 Ibid. 71.

12 12 for the conversion of sinners? They said, We will. 38 Throughout her next appearances in Fatima, Our Lady would continue this message saying, Make sacrifices for sinners, and say often, especially while making a sacrifice: O Jesus, this is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for offences committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 39 Even after Fatima, Our Lady continued to emphasize the importance of sacrifice and penance for the sins against the Father and her divine Maternity. However, even as she continues to reveal herself throughout the world, few have listened to her requests. On September 18, 1946, Our Lady appeared in La Salette, overwhelmed with grief, Mary gave her children this message: If my people do not wish to submit themselves, I am forced to let go of the hand of my Son. It is so heavy and weighs me down so much that I can no longer keep hold of it pass this on to all my people. 40 Again, Our Lady of America gave a similar message: My children will not heed; they will not listen. Every other way they will take, but not this one. I ask greater sacrifices of the most favored and beloved of my children. I ask in the Name and for the love of my Son, Who so desires this. 41 Years after the Fatima apparitions, Lucia describes their perception of Mary and their interpretation of her requests. [Mary] never smiled at us. This sadness, this anguish which we noted in her, penetrated our souls...and so, we children did not know what else to think except to invent various means of praying and making sacrifices 42 It is within this understanding that we desire to actualize a means of pleasing God more fully. Just as the Fatima children invented ways of praying and sacrificing, we feel moved to do the same within the world, through the Purity Medal. The striking of the Purity Medal speaks to the vitality of our cooperation. Through our human freedom, we have the ability to make a tremendous effect on the world. The medal holds within itself a transformational purpose, a purpose which centers itself on the great need for us to choose and accept Mary s role in the plan of salvation. The Medal of Redemption, Grace, and Peace This Purity Medal is the way in which, we pray, will lead us to the redemption, grace, and peace promised by Our Mother. Peace is what the world needs most, and peace will come if we heed her warnings and answer her requests. Our Lady of America tells us that we have to work for peace: My child, there will be peace, but not until my children are purified and cleansed from defilement and are made ready to receive this peace. 43 Our Lady of All Nations gave Ida a prayer to bring grace, redemption, and peace to the whole world, to counter degeneration, disaster, and war. The prayer is as follows: 38 "Apparitions of Fatima." Fatima 100th Anniversary. June 29, (Accessed July 13, 2017.) 39 Ibid Mary Alice Dennis. Melanie and the story of Our Lady of La Salette. (Rockford, IL: Tan Books, 1995.) Our Lady of America "Sr. Lucia of Fatima: "Russia is going to punish the world!" YouTube. May 06, (Accessed August 14, 2017.) 43 Our Lady of America. 21.

13 13 Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send now Your Spirit over the earth. Let the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all nations, that they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster and war. May the Lady of All Nations, who once was Mary, be our Advocate, Amen. 44 From the beginning of the Marian Age, Mary was revealed by God as Virgin of the Chair, and now in the final stage, allegedly in Medjugorje, Mary is coming as the Queen of Peace. God is pointing us towards the beautiful realization that Mary dwells with Him in Heaven as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate. Medjugorje is the completion of the Marian Age. Our Lady says: I have come to call the world to conversion for the last time. Later, I will not appear any more on this earth...these apparitions are the last in the world Therefore, I call you anew: open your heart and your sight towards God and the things of God and joy and peace will come to reign in your hearts. 45 For peace to occur, we must freely choose to worship God, by honoring her. I desire my children to honor me, especially by the purity of their lives I entrust you with this message that you must make known to my children in America. I wish it to be the country dedicated to my purity. 46 Our Lady repeatedly tells us that, in striving for purity and sacrifice and in answering her requests, peace will come. Peace ultimately rests in the hands of Our Mother: Co- Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate. We must never give up hope in our pursuit for holiness. Mary reminds us that, The outcome is already assured. 47 Coming as Our Lady of Fatima, she tells us, In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. 48 As Our Lady of America, My Immaculate Heart will win in the end, and the Spirit of Christ will dwell in the hearts of men. 49 On July 13, 1980, on the Anniversary of the Third Apparition of Fatima, My role as true Mother and Co-Redemptrix will become manifest to all. 50 We must have faith in the promises of Our Lady, Our Mother. For in the purity of our faith, we will come to understand the Will of God in our lives. St. Augustine tells us that, Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore, seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. 44 Peerdeman. The Messages of The Lady of All Nations "Messages: " Our Lady's Messages. 46 Our Lady of America Peerdeman. The Messages of The Lady of All Nations "Apparitions of Fatima." Fatima 100th Anniversary. 49 Our Lady of America Miravalle. Our Mother: Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate. 6.

14 Part II: The Imagery 14

15 15 Front of Medal: All the glory of the King s Daughter is within (Psalm 44:14, Douay-Rheims Bible). On November 23, 1957, Our Lady of America revealed a striking image to Sr. Mary Ephrem that was different than usual. She appeared with a transparent divine light being diffused within her heart. Over her heart, there was a Triangle and an Eye, symbolizing the Blessed Trinity. Then, above her head, in gold letters, there was a scroll that read: All the glory of the King s Daughter is within. Upon these words, Our Lady would declare: I am Our Lady of the Divine Indwelling, handmaid of Him Who dwells within. 51 The King s daughter, is Mary. She is holy and pure, glorious and lovely, in her heart and she is arrayed in the richest apparel of gold. Within her being, Mary held the Most Holy Trinity. In her humble humanity, she accepted God s divinity, and thus united herself perfectly to the Will of God. Through her, God revealed His plan for the latter-times: to renew the face of the earth by bringing all humanity to live in the Divine Will, as Our Lady perpetually did in the FIAT: Let it be done to me according to Your Word (Luke 1:38). All the glory of the king s daughter is within, highlights the great yes of our Blessed Mother, because it was through her perfect obedience to God that Christ was born into the world. All the glory of the king s daughter emphasizes her role as the Immaculate Tabernacle of God. Mary is the daughter of the Father, the mother of the Son, and the spouse of the Holy Spirit. Mary s unity with the Trinity extends beyond human knowledge and understanding, but it is in loving and honoring Mary, that we can truly begin to grasp the love of God. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us. When Saint Catherine finally described the Virgin of the Globe image, it consisted of the following: The Blessed Virgin lightly holds the globe in her hands, she illuminates with a bright light.around there would be: O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us. 52 In December of 1830, when St. Catherine wrote about the final apparition of Our Lady, she said that she felt that the words should appear as a description at the foot of Our Lady. 53 This medal s image honors that understanding, by placing the words at the base of the image near the feet of Our Lady. The Crown and 12 Stars On February 11, 1976, twenty-five years to the day, after she was given the Our Lady of All Nations Prayer, Ida Peerdeman received this vision while at Mass: I saw the glorified Lady of All Nations emerging from the Light. She was beautiful beyond all description. She wore a most splendid crown on her head. I felt extremely moved and began to weep for joy and 51 Our Lady of America Laurentin. The Life of Catherine Laboure Ibid. 81.

16 16 emotion. 54 Later that year, on May 31, Ida saw Our Lady again, and this time with the crown and 12 stars: Kneeling down I suddenly saw the Glorified Lady with twelve stars around her head and wearing a crown. It was magnificent and impressive. 55 She saw this lustrous crown again on March 25, It is prophetic of what is to come when Revelation 12 is fulfilled: A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head, a crown of twelve stars (Revelation 12:1). The Rays of Light St. Catherine saw Our Lady as the Immaculate Conception. She also saw beautiful glittering rays of light coming from her hands. When she saw Our Lady, St. Catherine heard a voice saying: These rays of light are a symbol of the graces Mary obtains for men. Catherine later wrote: Mary made me understand how pleasing it is to pray to her and how generous she is towards those who pray to her; what graces she grants to those who ask them of her, what joy she feels in granting those graces. 57 Mary mediates graces and distributes them, especially to those who ask her for grace and help. She is our Mediatrix and desires that we ask for them. The Golden Orb Our Lady often appears with a golden orb. Our a small golden orb attached to a chain around her neck. on the top of her crown. In the apparitions of Rue du Nations, she appeared with a larger golden orb, which Heart. This globe represents Mary s role as our grace from God to us as our Mediatrix, and brings our Advocate. This is ultimately her purpose as Lady of Fatima appeared with She also had an orb and cross Bac and Our Lady of All she held over her Immaculate Advocate. She distributes petitions to God as our Co-Redemptrix. The Sash around Mary s Waist Our Lady is often depicted in her heavenly apparitions with a sash around her waist. This indicates that Mary is pregnant, that she is the Mother of God. She appeared, wearing a blue sash as Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of All Nations, and Our Lady of America. However, the sash also reminds us that she is Our Mother as well, and that it is her role to birth Christ within the hearts of all her beloved children. The Rings on Mary s Fingers St. Catherine described a vision she received, saying, Suddenly I noticed rings on her fingers, rings with precious stones, some more beautiful than others, some larger and some smaller, which gave out rays of light, some more beautiful than others. Then, she heard: The 54 Peerdeman. Eucharistic Experiences Ibid Ibid Laurentin. The Life of Catherine Laboure. 80.

17 17 precious stones which give out no rays of light are the graces that people forget to ask me for. 58 Our Lady has so much she wants to give, but these graces must be asked for. Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). The Moon under Her Feet According to Letaille, the official painter of the Rue du Bac visions (1841), St. Catherine saw Our Lady crowned with 12 stars with the moon under her feet. 59 Our Lady of Guadalupe also appeared standing on the moon. This image encompasses the apocalyptic moment of the fulfillment of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Revelation. Our Lady of America, also revealed herself in this way. This apparition received canonical approval and Sr. Mary Ephrem describes, in remarkable detail, the vision of November 1957 as follows: Our Lady appeared, standing on a globe, her right foot resting on a crescent moon, the left on a snout of a small fire breathing dragon. 60 In Catholic thought, the moon is symbolic of Mary. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, so too, Mary reflects the grace and mercy of Christ for souls. The crescent moon, together with the 12 stars, is symbolic of the book of Revelation. The moon of mercy eclipses the sun of justice. As [Mary] is the dawn which precedes and reveals the Sun of Justice, who is Jesus Christ, she must be seen and recognized in order that Jesus Christ may also be. 61 The crescent moon has another meaning: It has two points that appear like two horns; and just as Mary crushes the head of the serpent, fulfilling Genesis 3:15, so too, she will play a vital role in crushing the head of the two-horned dragon, foretold in Revelation 12. Standing over the Earth & America In Revelation 12, the woman descends from Heaven. She descends to the earth to fight the great and final battle against the dragon. After taking her child to the desert, the dragon makes war on the spiritual children of the woman, and the apocalyptic battle ensues. Mary is the woman who descends from Heaven and we are her spiritual children, called to aid her in the battle against evil. However, Mary descends more specifically over the United States of America. Through Mary, God gave the United States a very important mission in the salvation of the world. Mary said that she was coming to America now as a last resort. 62 Our Lady told Sr. Mary Ephrem: From the beginning of time, every prophecy, every vision, throughout the centuries, will have its fulfillment in Our Lady of America and her message of the Indwelling Trinity living in every soul, which will renew the whole world and destroy Lucifer and all the evil spirits in the fight he is making against the Indwelling Trinity Laurentin. The Life of Catherine Laboure Laurentin. The Life of Catherine Laboure Our Lady of America St. Louis De. Montfort. True Devotion to Mary. Translated by Fr. Frederick Faber. (Rockford, IL: Tan Books and Publishers, INC., 1985.) Our Lady of America Contemplative Sisters of the Indwelling Trinity. "Our Lady of America." Our Lady of America.

18 18 What an honor it is to know that America has the ability to fulfill Our Lady s requests, and thus, begin the path towards true peace and tranquility in life, with liberty, and all the while, pursuing happiness. Crushing the Serpent/Dragon The Bible indicates that Our Lady has, and will continue to have, an instrumental role in thwarting the plans and work of Satan. Genesis 3:15 prophesizes that Our Lady will be the one who crushes the head of the serpent. I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel. Revelation 12 indicates that Our Lady will be instrumental in defeating the great dragon. Christ has made it so. He will send Mary, together with St. Michael, to rally her spiritual children to fight the evil one in the latter times and to win the final victory over sin and death, over degeneration, disaster, and war. What Lucifer lost by pride, Mary has gained by humility. What Eve has damned and lost by disobedience, Mary has saved by obedience. Eve, in obeying the serpent, has destroyed all her children together with herself, and has delivered them to him; Mary, in perfect faithfulness to God, has saved all her children and servants together with herself, and has consecrated them to His Majesty. 64 Mary is the New Eve chosen to lead all humanity back to the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Back of Medal: The Cross and the M St. Catherine said that on the back side of the image was the letter M surmounted with a little cross, which appears atop the base of an altar. The whole significance of the back side of the medal is to emphasize the unity of Jesus and Mary in the work of Redemption. Pope Pius XI wrote, From the nature of His work, the Redeemer ought to have associated His Mother with His work. For this reason, we invoke her under the title of Co-Redemptrix. She gave us the Savior, she accompanied Him in the work of the Redemption of mankind. And immediately beneath the Cross, at the last moments of His life, she was proclaimed, by the Redeemer, as our Mother, the Mother of the whole universe. 65 Furthermore, from the words of Saint John Paul II, At Calvary, she united herself with the sacrifice of her Son her maternal heart shared to the very depths the will of Christ to gather into one all the dispersed children of God (Jn. 11:52). Having suffered for the Church, Mary deserved to become the Mother of all the disciples of her Son, the Mother of their unity The Gospels do not tell us of an appearance of the risen Christ to Mary. Nevertheless, she also had to have a privileged experience of His Resurrection. In fact, Mary s role as Co-Redemptrix did not cease with the glorification of her Son Montfort. True Devotion to Mary Miravalle. Our Mother: Co-redemptrix, Mediatrix, Advocate Ibid. 13.

19 19 As seen from these two Popes, Mary has been understood as Co-Redemptrix throughout church history. Countless saints, theologians, and popes have promoted this title, and many books have been written on the Blessed Virgin Mary, honoring her role in salvation. However, Mary has yet to be given these titles (Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate) through a formal solemn declaration. It is our duty to see that the unity of Jesus and Mary are understood and the dogma is proclaimed. Our Blessed Mother must be declared Co-Redemptrix through an ex cathedra pronouncement, giving greater honor to her as Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix, and Advocate of all God s people. The Two Hearts United as One Throughout these apparitions and messages, Mary continues to emphasize the importance of devotion to her Immaculate Heart. "Jesus wishes to use you to make me better known and loved. He wishes to establish, in the world, devotion to my Immaculate Heart...my Immaculate Heart will never abandon you, but will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God." 67 God is responding to our needs with a new kind of devotion and powerful means of grace, namely that of the Two Hearts. The Devotion of the Two Hearts developed through private revelation, first, in the seventeenth century, when Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, and later, in the twentieth century, when Mary appeared to the children of Fatima, especially to Lucia after she became a nun. It is interesting, and admittedly sad, that in both cases, the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart came in a spirit of lamenting. Our Lord told Sr. Margaret Mary, Behold the [Sacred] Heart, that has loved humanity, and has spared nothing for them, even to consuming itself to give them pledges of Its love, but which receives from the majority of people, no other return but ingratitude and insults toward the Sacrament of Love. 68 Similarly, at Fatima, the Child Jesus appeared to Sr. Lucia, saying: Have compassion on the Heart of your Most Holy Mother, covered with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce It at every moment, and there is no one to make an act of reparation to remove them. 69 In 1830, St. Catherine Labouré s Miraculous Medal, depicts the Hearts of Jesus and Mary united for the first time in private revelation. Through this vision and medal, Heaven was confirming and revealing its plan to unite the Two Hearts for our times. The private revelations of Fatima also advance the heavenly request that the Heart of Jesus be honored together with the Heart of Mary. Our Lord told Lucia of Fatima: Put the devotion of the Immaculate Heart besides the devotion of My Sacred Heart. 70 Thus, Heaven has declared that the Two Hearts will deliver the Church from the snares of the evil one. Jesus and Mary want each of us to unite ourselves with their united Hearts in a continual tri-union of love to save us from the perils of the world in these times. My heart, my Immaculate Heart, is the channel through which the graces of the Sacred Heart are given to 67 "Apparitions of Fatima." Fatima 100th Anniversary. 68 "The Revelations of the Sacred Heart of Jesus." A Catholic Land. (Accessed August 15, 2017.) 69 "The Apparitions at Pontevedra ( )." The Fatima Network. (Accessed August 14, 2017.) 70 "Devotion to Sacred and Immaculate Hearts Joined." The Fatima Network. (Accessed August 14, 2017.)

20 20 men. 71 It is by this Two Heart image, that the unity of Jesus and Mary are emphasized, and the desire for Mary to be named Co-Redemptrix is depicted. We pray that all the promises of grace and mercy, with devotion to the images of the Sacred and Immaculate Heart, be granted through devotion to this Purity Medal and Image. The 12 Stars The 12 stars placed around the perimeter the medal represent, once again, the 12 stars mentioned in Revelation. Mary is the Mother of the 12 tribes of Israel and the Mother of the 12 Apostles of the Church. She is the Queen of the Universe. Mary, together with her offspring, Jesus, and her spiritual offspring, the children of the Church, will crush the head of the dragon in the apocalyptic times, as she did the serpent, in the time of Christ, at Calvary. Why Round? This image s circular shape represents the Eucharist. The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. 72 The Eucharist itself is the source and summit of our faith. The other sacraments are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented towards it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself. 73 Why Dominic Medals? Saint Dominic was instrumental in defending the Church against the workings of the devil. His mission was to strengthen the faith by improving the morality of the Church and working to rid the Church of all heretical ideals. This is exactly the mission that Mary is calling us to do within the Church today. Our Lady of All Nations continually repeated the importance of Dominican involvement to Ida. One great community has to be formed, the direction of which I place into the hands of the Dominican Fathers. Let them well consider what I entrust them with. 74 Ida Peerdeman s spiritual director was a Dominican priest, and later, she would join the Third Order Dominicans for the lay members within the Church. In fact, Melanie Calvat, the visionary from La Salette, received the task of beginning a new order, accompanied with a Rule on which the order would be lived out. However, when her requests were denied, she decided to join the Third Order Dominicans as well. Priests, religious, and lay persons devoted to the salvation of souls were to receive new life from the Rule. Melanie herself joined the Third Order of St. Dominic She felt that its observances were perfectly in harmony with those of the Rule. 75 The Dominican Order holds a very special place in Mary s heart, so through the Purity Medal we desire to honor that. 71 Our Lady of America Catechism of the Catholic Church Ibid Peerdeman. The Messages of The Lady of All Nations Dennis. Melanie and the story of Our Lady of La Salette

21 21 Why Silver? A major reason for striking the Purity Medal on silver, comes from the fact that the first Miraculous Medal was struck on silver. Another major significance for silver comes from Fatima. Many eye witness accounts from the Fatima Miracle, describe seeing a silver plate. From the road one could see the immense multitude turn toward the sun, which appeared free from clouds and in its zenith. It looked like a plaque of dull silver, and it was possible to look at it without the least discomfort. 76 Another witness made a similar comment, The sun had a transparent gauzy veil so that the eyes could easily be fixed upon it. The grey mother-of- pearl tone turned into a sheet of silver which broke up as the clouds were torn apart and the silver sun, enveloped in the same gauzy grey light, was seen to whirl and turn in the circle of broken clouds. 77 The scriptural basis for silver comes from 2 Maccabees. It perfectly encompasses the spiritual reason for the medal being struck on silver. The passage unfolds amongst a series of battles being fought to defend the chosen people being forced into sacrilege. Judas rallied his armies to purify themselves and go out to properly bury their dead, especially those who had fallen, due to their worship of false idols. He then took up a collection among all of his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing so he acted in a very excellent and noble way (2 Maccabees 12:43). In today s world, idols come in many different forms: money, power, possessions, selfimage, sports, work, etc. Just as the soldiers did, we are called to purify ourselves, recognizing the idols that we may worship in our daily lives, and renewing our commitment to the only thing that truly matters, our relationship with God. Offering silver was the way in which the soldiers purified themselves and even purified those who fell victim to false idols. We have chosen to offer the Purity Medal to others, for them to carry, and, in turn, pray for their salvation. Just as Judas Maccabees offered the silver to the temple of Jerusalem, we offer the Purity Medal for the restoration of the temple of our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirt present within each human being. In this, we know that we are acting in a noble and excellent way as we offer prayers and sacrifices for all those that the Purity Medal encounters. Silver, in and of itself, is a pure element, just so, we must pray for all people in the pursuit of holiness and purity. However, silver also tarnishes, just as our souls tarnish because of sin. The Purity Medal reminds us of our need to continually cleanse ourselves of our sinfulness through reconciliation. We must never cease in our attempts to become pure of heart, mind, and soul, because in doing so, we can become all the more equipped to defend the Church as Mary s soldiers, fighting for the salvation of all God s people. 76 "Apparitions of Fatima." Fatima 100th Anniversary. 77 Ibid.

22 Part III: The Devotion 22

23 23 Understanding the significance of this medal becomes central to not only fulfilling the desires of our Blessed Mother, but also bringing about special devotion to her and her role as Mother and Queen of the Universe. We must carry and spread this medal with complete confidence that Mary will accept our devotion, and thus, be able to actualize the reason for her coming. As stated before, Mary asked us to pray in a special way for the salvation of those people who are carrying this miraculous medal, and just as the children of Fatima invented ways to console the heart of Mary, we have invented a short prayer. This prayer summarizes and invokes how God has come and continues to come through her: Come, Holy Spirit, come, Through the Woman clothed with the Sun, All the glory of the King s Daughter is within. Devotion to this medal, commitment and loyalty to the significance of its meaning and imagery, and vocalizing this simple prayer are the steps in which, we believe, will bring greater honor and glory to God, through Mary. We have not yet praised, exalted, honored, loved, and served Mary as we ought. She still deserves more praise, still more respect, still more love, and still more service. 78 Through this prayer, we hope to give Mary the admiration she so deserves from her children. Come, Holy Spirit, Come To grasp the depth of this prayer, we must first understand the importance of the Holy Spirit s presence in our lives. Throughout the various apparitions of Our Lady, she constantly reminds her children to invoke the Holy Spirit in prayer. The important thing is to pray to the Holy Spirit, so that He may descend on you. When one has Him, one has everything Through the Holy Spirit you will become a spring of God's love. 79 Diving into the theology of the Trinity, the central mystery to our Christian faith, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, existing as three persons in one God. They are of the same substance, while, at the same time, distinct solely in the relationships which relate them to one another. 80 The triune God is pure relationship, and in this relationship there exists complete unity in mission, but distinction in properties. Each divine person performs the common work according to His unique personal property one God and Father from whom all things are, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and one Holy Spirit in whom all things are. 81 God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, but to be united to Christ, we must be united to the Spirit. The mission of Christ and the Spirit are distinct, but inseparable. To be sure, it is Christ who is seen, the visible image of the invisible God, but it is the Spirit who 78 Montfort. True Devotion to Mary "Messages: " Our Lady's Messages. 80 Catechism of the Catholic Church Ibid. 258.

24 24 reveals Him. 82 Thus, the mission of the Holy Spirit is to reveal Christ to the world. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit exists in order to unite God s children to Christ and make them dwell in Him more perfectly. 83 Through the Woman clothed with the Sun The second part in understanding this prayer is to understand the role of Mary within the work of the Holy Trinity. Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because His Spirit had prepared her, the Father found the dwelling place where His Son and His Spirit could dwell among men. 84 God desired free cooperation from Mary, knowing full well that her answer would determine the course of salvation history. Because of her great fiat, Mary became the Mother of God, by the power and working of the Holy Spirit. It was with her, in her, and of her that [the Holy Spirit] produced His Masterpiece, which is God made Man the Holy Spirit chose to make use of our Blessed Lady, though He had no absolute need of her, to bring His fruitfulness into action, by producing in her and by her, Jesus Christ As stated above, God chose Mary to be the Mother of God without absolutely needing her. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving, and through His perfect divinity, He chose to have Mary play a crucial role in the salvation of mankind. Mary is the woman from the beginning of Genesis: I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed; she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel (Genesis 3:15). Mary is also the woman in the final book of Revelation: A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars (Revelation 12:1). From the beginning to the end of Sacred Scripture, God has willed that Mary s role be the most significant, besides that of Christ, in the completion of His universal plan. Pope Benedict XVI elaborates on the significance of Mary s role and Revelation during his December 8, 2011 address: What is the meaning of this [Revelation 12:1] image? It represents at the same time Our Lady and the Church. First of all the woman of the Book of Revelation is Mary herself. She appears clothed with the sun clothed with God: the Virgin Mary, in fact, is wholly surrounded by God s light and lives in God This woman has, under her feet, the moon, a symbol of death and of mortality. Indeed Mary is fully associated with the victory of Jesus Christ, her Son, over sin and death For this reason, Mary is, herself, a hymn to life. Over and over again, great popes and saints speak of the profound role of Mary, a role that should not be taken lightly, but rather uplifted and proclaimed, for it is through her that the mysteries of Christ are revealed. All the Glory of the King s Daughter is within To continue Pope Benedict s address, he stated that the Revelation 12:1 image not only represents Mary, but also the Church. As well as representing Our Lady, this sign personifies 82 Catechism of the Catholic Church Catechism of the Catholic Church Catechism of the Catholic Church Montfort. True Devotion to Mary

25 25 the Church, the Christian community of all time. She is with child in the sense that she is carrying Christ in her womb and must give birth to Him in the world. This is the travail of the pilgrim Church on earth which, amidst the consolations of God and the persecution of the world, must bring Jesus to men and women It is for this reason that the Church comes up against the opposition of a ferocious adversary, represented in the apocalyptic vision by a great red dragon The one threat, in which the Church can and must be afraid, is the sin of her members the Church is holy, but, at the same time, she is blemished by our sins. Sin comes as a part of our fallen nature, however, in countless apparitions, Jesus and Mary are calling us to a life that resists sin, a life that reflects love in its purest form. Before Sister Mary Ephram was visited by Our Lady of America, Jesus Christ revealed an important message to her: My Father s house is a house of prayer, and you have made it a den of thieves. My children, every home and every soul is My Father s house, for He made them and they are His If, My children, you cleanse your temples, My Father will return and We will come and make Our abode with you. 86 Christ is calling us to purify our souls, to cleanse them of worldly corruption, but in order to do this, we must imitate the Virgin Mary, Mother of God. I am Our Lady of the Divine Indwelling, handmaid of Him Who dwells within. 87 It is through her that Christ came into the world, and it is through her that He will come again in all His glory. For all the glory of the King s daughter lies within the fact that she is the immaculate tabernacle, holding within herself the most Holy and Blessed Trinity. Furthermore, we are called to be a dwelling for the Most Holy Trinity: If a man loves me, says the Lord, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. 88 Just as Mary s body and soul were made to become an indwelling for God, so too, we are called to make of our souls a spiritual indwelling for God. It is through the loving example and guidance of Mary that we can truly understand what it means to possess the Spirit of God in our hearts. This is Mary s purpose: that we become purified vessels, awake and ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit, her spouse, has found Mary in a soul, He flies there. He enters there in His fullness; He communicates Himself to that soul abundantly, and to the full extent to which it makes room for His spouse. 89 For it is ultimately through Mary that, the Holy Spirit fulfills the plan of the Father s loving goodness through Mary, the Holy Spirit begins to bring men, the objects of God s merciful love, into communion with Christ. 90 Thus, the Purity Medal is a sacramental: a visible sign of what lies within our hearts. It is in wearing the Purity Medal that we commit our lives to becoming a pure reflection of Christ in the world. It represents our devotion to cleanse and purify the temple of our souls of all sinful tendencies and corruption. It becomes tangible way in which we reflect to the world what this medal represents in its entirety: the historical significance, the imagery, and the devotion. 86 Our Lady of America Our Lady of America Catechism of the Catholic Church Montfort. True Devotion to Mary Catechism of the Catholic Church. 723, 725.

26 Part IV: The Dogma 26