The Chapel of our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris
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I emerged from the Rue du Bac Metro station here. After walking out the Metro, you just have to find the Rue du Bac street sign and walk into it. Coming up the stairs, it’s to your right. The Shrine’s website will advise you to take this Metro stop but it would be easier to head for the Rue de Sevres station and then find Rue du Bac from there. If you choose the Rue de Sevres route, your landmark is Le Bon Marche. Rue du Bac is the street separating it’s two corners.
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It’s quite a walk from the Rue de Bac Metro Station to this point. (Probably a walk under 10 minutes.) The shrine’s entrance is on the right side. Unlike most Churches, you will not find a courtyard or a steeple visible from the street. Rue du Bac itself is a two-lane street so you don’t have much of a line of sight and have to watch out for this entrance way. I visited the shrine on my own because Alan had started working in the home office already when I went. I just had to find it.
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This is the overpass between the two buildings of Le Bon Marche on either side of Rue du Bac. Once it’s visible, keep looking to your right where the Chapel is. If you walk past this, you missed the entrance. You will pass many stores and other establishments walking the length of Rue du Bac. The hustle and bustle near Le Bon Marche, however, is more frenetic, so you would know you missed it once you hit major street traffic.
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There is an information center on the right side once you enter the premises. There are sisters who will be willing to help you out with any questions. In fact when I was there, there was even a Filipino nun whom I greeted with “Kamusta po?”, although it was a different nun who attended to me in another window. Various literature, from the history of the apparitions, the life of St. Catherine, how to pray the rosary, etc., are available for free.
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This is the entrance to the Chapelle which is closed when a mass is going on. Your best chance to participate in the Eucharistic celebration is to go up the tribune instead, whose entrance is on the other side across the way.
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This is the directional sign to the higher levels of the chapel. Walk up and you have a choice of the second or third level.
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Be careful not to trip on the way up. The door to the second level was already closed when I went up and there are guides who will tell you if you can still go in. Otherwise, you have the third level where I went.
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This is a view from the third floor. It’s a relatively small chapel and very new, but you are almost sure to see only Catholics here as it is a pilgrimage destination and not exactly a tourist spot. Given the miracle of St. Catherine Labour and her visions of the Blessed Virgin, you have to be a believer to make this a stop. I was fortunate enough to have caught the midday mass.
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This is the entrance to the Chapelle which is closed when a mass is going on. Your best chance to participate in the Eucharistic celebration is to go up the tribune instead, whose entrance is on the other side across the way.
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After the mass, I went down to the second level and took this picture. Only the center portion directly in front of the altar is open to the public. The seating on the sides is controlled and presumably open only during Sundays or holy days of obligation.
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Another shot from the second level showing the upper third level where I took the pictures looking down.
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Finally, I made my way down to the main level. It’s a solemn atmosphere although the faithful also take pictures. You feel the solemnity of the place and there is enough room to make your way to the altar where two saints lie in perpetual repose. On the right side where I was was the glass coffin housing the remains of St. Catherine whose body did not decompose.
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This is the side altar on the right side.
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A shot of the main altar from the righthand side. Postcards, literature and other religious items such as the medal in different sizes and quantities are available from a store just outside the chapel. There is even a portion which is essentially operated on an “honor system”. You get what you want and just drop your payment in a box.
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Walking away from the shrine, this is what you will see as you walk away from the Chapel and onto the Rue de Sevres. You really have to seek it out because it’s tucked away in its tiny corner.
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Posted by in 17:25:25
Belles images. Di, you are an authentic explorer. More than 10 years I live in this country and never been to this chapel. Now, I am encouraged to visit the place. I often buy some foreign food stuffs at the Bon Marché l’épiceries but never bothered to look around the viscinity. I just park ; shop and go.
Merci encore ma chère Di.
Have a wonderful week and looking forward to read more infos on your daily blog writing.
take care and hugs to your so cute cuddly Angel.
Jeannie, you really should visit.. there are so many things we always fail to explore because we live there.. like why do I hardly go out to watch anything on Broadway? Hugs to you and Adrien.