Alphonse Ratisbonne

Mary Vitamin for January 21st

 

Topic: The Miraculous Medal, the Memorare and the Conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne

(January 20th)

 

Quote:

Baron de Bussieres to Alphonse Ratisbonne

"Since you abhor superstition and espouse such liberal views," he asks Alphonse, "would you consider submitting to a simple test?"

 

"What test?"

 

"To wear something I'm going to give you. It's a medal of the Holy Virgin. It appears quite ridiculous to you, no doubt. But as for me, I attach great importance to it."

 

The quote comes from this site: http://www.sancta-maria.com/convert.html 

Please take a look at Sancta-Maria, if you would like the whole story of the apparition of Our Lady to Alphonse Ratisbonne .

 

Meditation:

To prove that he had nothing to be afraid of from wearing a Miraculous Medal and reciting the prayer of the Memorare,  Alphonse Ratsibonne agrees to do both. As a result, Alphonse Ratisbonne  experienced a remarkable conversion as he relates here in his own words:

 'I had only been in the church a moment when I was suddenly seized with an indescribable agitation of mind.  I looked up and found that the rest of the building had disappeared.  One single chapel seemed to have gathered all the light and concentrated it in itself.  In the midst of this radiance I saw someone standing on the altar, a lofty shining figure, all majesty and sweetness, the Virgin Mary just as she looks on this medal.  Some irresistible force drew me towards her.  She motioned to me to kneel down and when I did so, she seemed to approve.  Though she never said a word, I understood her perfectly.'

http://www.salvationisfromthejews.com/alljews.html#ratisbonne

Rome, January 20, 1842

Church of San Andrea delle Fratte

Alphonse Ratisbonne, the  aristocratic gentleman from Strasbourg, an openly anti Catholic since the time his older brother converted from Judaism to Catholicism and became a priest, was instantly converted and given infused knowledge of the Catholic Faith. He understood the misery of his soul steeped in Original Sin and begged for Baptism.

Resolution:

Today I will not underestimate the value of the Memorare and my Miraculous Medal. Today, I will make sure I'm wearing my miraculous medal and say the Memorare at least one time. In particular, I will remember this remarkable conversion and pray for conversions. (My first Memorare will be for my own conversion.)

 

Marian Vow:

Alphonse Ratisbonne speaking about his encounter with Our Lady

"I came out of a tomb, out of the abyss of darkness and I was alive, perfectly alive...But I wept!  I saw in the bottom of the abyss the extreme misery from which I was torn out by an infinite mercy.  I trembled at the sight of all my iniquities, and I was stupefied, emotionally moved and shocked in admiration and gratitude."

http://www.salvationisfromthejews.com/alljews.html#ratisbonne

 

  I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Thanks be to God for graces received.

Related siteS: Castle of the Immaculate &  AirMaria

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