The Golden Orb

Our Lady often appears with a golden orb. Our Lady of Fatima appeared with a small golden orb attached to a chain around her neck. She also had an orb and cross on the top of her crown. In the apparitions of Rue du Bac, she appeared with a larger golden orb, which which she held over her Immaculate Heart. This globe represents Mary’s role as our Advocate. She distributes petitions to God as our Co-Redemptrix.
 

The Rays of Light

St. Catherine Laboure 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.”

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.