Did you know that during the course of the 1800's there were three separate Church approved Sacramentals given by Heaven in a span of just 16 years? From 1830 - 1846, Heaven gave to us the Miraculous Medal, the Green Scapular, and the Red Scapular. And uniquely, they were given to three different nuns from a single religious order: the Daughters of Charity, founded by St. Vincent de Paul in 1633. Two of the three apparitions, those of the Miraculous Medal and the Green Scapular, happened within ten years of each other at the same place, the Mother House of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, France. Even the same priest, Father Aladel, the director of the Daughters of Charity, was involved both times and entrusted to discern and carry out Our Lady's instructions. While these sacramentals are common to us now, it is interesting to think that they are each less than 200 years old.

The first of these (the Miraculous Medal), Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Laboure on November 27th, 1830, and gave her the image and mission to have a medal made in honor of Her Immaculate Conception. On the medal is an image of Mary standing over a globe, rays of light issuing from Her merciful hands, with the prayer "O Mary Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee." surrounding the image. In fact, did you know that the Miraculous Medal originally had a different name? It was called the "Medal of the Immaculate Conception". After being made, however, so many miracles were obtained from the use of this medal, that it quickly was simply called by what we know today: "The Miraculous Medal".

In 1840, Mary again appeared to give yet another powerful sacramental and aid in our times. Sr. Justine Bisqueyburu, a novice of the community, was shown on September 8th, 1840, the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, the image for what Our Lady called "The Badge of the Immaculate Heart". Mary appeared, holding Her Heart pierced with a sword, and the words "Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen." surrounded an image of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In this case, the sacramental was a scapular (to be worn or hidden), and these two images of Mary were to be placed on a single piece of green wool. Hence "Green Scapular" became its well known name. When invoked confidently under this title and through this holy image, Our Lady promised to obtain great favors from her Divine Son, especially in the areas of physical health, peace of mind and spiritual conversion. Miracles of all kinds began to occur. By 1856 it was in circulation as far as even Italy, as the famous example of St. Dominic Savio shows, when he slipped the green scapular around his mother and saved her life during a difficult childbirth. Many miracles have been obtained through the confident use of the Green Scapular, astounding cures continuing to this day.

For the Red Scapular, it was Our Lord who came on July 29, 1846, asking for a scapular of red to made in memory of His Passion. He appeared to Sister Appoline Andriveau at the convent at Troyes, France. The Red Scapular, also known as the Passion Scapular, has the same design as other scapulars with two pieces of cloth attached by a string so as to be worn. Jesus showed to her two images: the front image being Christ on the Cross and the words "Holy Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ save us"; and for the back of the scapular, an image of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary surrounded by "Sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary protect us." So it was called "the Scapular of the Passion of Our Lord and the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary." This Scapular, Sr. Appoline said, "will prove to us a strong armor against infernal assaults, an impenetrable shield against the arrows of our spiritual enemies." Jesus promised to those who wear this scapular with faith and devotion a great increase of Faith, Hope and Charity, particularly on Fridays.

Heaven is always working to help everyone. Over time, they have given many proofs of their generosity and mercy to our poor earth. But it is interesting to see how in 16 years, Heaven gave us three sacramentals, all of which have become a common sight, and a powerful aid, to every Catholic.