Christian Articles & Holy Land Guides

Who was Mary Magdalene, and what do the Gospels actually tell us about her? Follow her story from healing and discipleship in Galilee to the Crucifixion and empty tomb, and discover why she became known as the “Apostle to the Apostles.” This guide also separates the biblical Mary Magdalene from later traditions and enduring misconceptions about her identity.

In 1830, a young novice in Paris received a vision that would change the devotional life of millions. The Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Catherine Labouré with a design, a promise, and a mission: to spread a medal that would pour grace upon all who wore it with faith. Nearly two centuries later, the Miraculous Medal still rests at the heart of rosaries, novenas, and quiet prayers offered in moments of illness, doubt, and longing. This is its story — and an invitation to make it part of yours.

Saint Benedict's Rule shaped Western monasticism, while the medal bearing his name became one of Catholicism's best-known sacramentals. Discover the history of Saint Benedict, the meaning of every symbol and Latin inscription on his medal, its traditional association with spiritual protection, and how it is used in prayer, crosses, and the Rosary today.