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The Miracle That Gave the Miraculous Medal Its Name
National Catholic Register ^ | August 9, 2025 | Allison Barrick

Posted on 08/10/2025 11:28:36 AM PDT by ebb tide

The Miracle That Gave the Miraculous Medal Its Name

Alphonse and Theodore Ratisbonne were born in 1802 and 1814, respectively, into a prominent banking family in Alsace, France. The Ratisbonne family was a nominally Jewish household that seemed focused on worldly success, and it would seem that such success was expected of both Theodore and Alphonse. However, at age 22, Theodore met Louise Humann, a devout Catholic and catechist. Under her guidance, he studied the New Testament and other Scriptures and was baptized Catholic in the year 1826. He went on to be ordained a priest just four years later.

Theodore’s conversion came as a shock to his family. For his younger brother Alphonse, this was a betrayal of the worst kind. He took his brother’s conversion as an opportunity to become actively hostile to Catholicism and went so far as to reject his brother, refusing to speak to him.

Though this estrangement certainly wounded Theodore, evidence would point to Theodore not retaliating against Alphonse, but instead doubling down on his prayers for his little brother. These prayers would not fall on deaf ears, and Divine Providence would bring Alphonse to another Theodore — one who would act as a spiritual brother to him while his biological one was shunned.

Alphonse was on a pleasure trip through Europe when he caught up with an old school friend who introduced Alphonse to his brother, Theodore de Bussieres. Theodore was also a Catholic convert, and perhaps this reminded Alphonse of his mutinous older brother. Alphonse did not hold back punches and would openly mock the Catholic Church in Theodore de Bussieres’ presence. This Theodore was greatly offended by Alphonse’s blasphemies and offenses. Some friends said that Alphonse was too toxic a friend to be with. Instead, this Theodore, too, turned to prayer rather than retaliation.

(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; History
KEYWORDS: conversion; mary

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1 posted on 08/10/2025 11:28:36 AM PDT by ebb tide
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To: Al Hitan; Fedora; irishjuggler; Jaded; kalee; markomalley; miele man; Mrs. Don-o; ...

Ping


2 posted on 08/10/2025 11:29:32 AM PDT by ebb tide (The Synodal "church" is not the Catholic Church.)
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To: ebb tide

I carry a Miraculous Medal on my keychain.


3 posted on 08/10/2025 11:41:32 AM PDT by Angelino97
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To: Angelino97

I always have mine.

In Paris there is the Miraculous Medal chapel. It was next to the Bon Marche last time I was there. You bring your fellow travelers in there down the pebble walkway and they think ,’oh geeze, here we go. I wanna continue shopping and eating. It’s Paris’

But inside is the most beautiful pink a blue mosaic chapel. St Louise and St Catherine are ther incorruptible

People quietly flock in for a prayer. People from all over the world. Groups of religious nuns, little kids, men

The medal itself is powerful. That’s another subject


4 posted on 08/10/2025 11:58:57 AM PDT by stanne (Because they were mesmerized by Obama, the man for whom this was named, whose name they left out of )
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To: ebb tide

It’s an amazing story.


5 posted on 08/10/2025 4:55:48 PM PDT by Trump_Triumphant (“They recognized Him in the breaking of the Bread”)
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To: ebb tide

Please tell me you don’t have this idol along with the other one around your neck.


6 posted on 08/10/2025 6:39:38 PM PDT by ealgeone
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To: ealgeone

Do you even know what it is or are you just in “if it’s Catholic it’s bad” Protestant mode?


7 posted on 08/10/2025 6:58:50 PM PDT by Texas_Guy
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To: Texas_Guy

I do. Yet another Roman Catholic idol.


8 posted on 08/10/2025 7:06:51 PM PDT by ealgeone
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