On the eve of July 19, 1830, Our Lady appeared in Rue du Bac, France, to a religious 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 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

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?10 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 kind.”11On 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.

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, 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.

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, 1951.

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 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.

6. 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 on February 11, 1958. “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 in the salvation of mankind. “America, the United States in particular, is being given a 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.

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...”31

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 25th, 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.

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. March 25, 1984 - The last Eucharistic Experience recorded by Ida Peerdeman: “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.”34

2. March 25, 1984 - On the alleged 1000th apparition in Medjugorje, 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.”35

3. March 25, 1984 - Pope John Paul II consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: “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.

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 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.