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Faith takes on a tangible feel in the form of medals or medallions of the patron saints. It is somehow reassuring and a source of strength for many to be able to physically touch an emblem of their faith. Others find it a way to display their beliefs to others. There is a feeling of good fortune and hope we impart on religious medals; sometimes, it is a feeling of protection or support from a saint we pray to who seems especially connected to our causes or problems. And sometimes we are able to summon up great reserves of power that allow us to overcome what may seem insurmountable circumstances. These medals also serve as talismans to remind us of certain strengths of character we find especially meaningful. And for some, patrol saint medals and other religious medals and artifacts are a spiritual way to decorate their lives.
And as diverse as these medals are in design and cost, it is also a fascinating study in diversity to review the causes associated with some of the patron saints. Indeed, there is a patron saint for every cause, from accountants (Saint Matthew) to youth (Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Saint Maria Goretti, Saint John Bosco). There is a patron saint for women in labor (Saint Elmo), lovers (Saint Valentine), and venereal disease (Saint Fiacre). And there is a patron saint for throat ailments (Saint Blasé), knee problems (Saint Roch), and headaches (Saint Teresa of Avila). Fortunately, the availability of religious medals is more - shall we say? - grounded. (Speaking of grounded, Saint Rita of Cascia is the patron saint of parenthood. Let the grounding begin!)
Perhaps one of the more meaningful religious medals is that of the Miraculous Medal. This is a medal that was created to celebrate a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The vision was imparted to Saint Catherine Laboure and was one that showed the Virgin Mary displayed in an oval frame and standing on a globe. A series of rings was a part of this vision, and the saint noted that some of them did not shine. When Saint Catherine asked her vision of the Blessed Mother why this was, the answer was that the rings that did not shine represented graces that people often forgot to ask for. The Miraculous Medal signifies the reception of great blessings and ample grace to the bearer.
The wearing of religious medals and those of the patron saints do bring comfort and spiritual well-being to those who bear them. Interestingly, in earlier times these emblems were often abused and confused with pagan symbolism and the practice of certain magical associations that strayed far from the intent of their use. That is why the early spiritual leaders often protested their use, to prevent the cheapening or demeaning of the symbolism. Fortunately today, the faith of our fathers shines on in our use of these religious medals. And regardless of our lot in life, we can rest assured a patron saint watches over us.
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