Vintage Miraculous Miracle Heart Pendant
This small but precious "Miraculous Miracle" Heart Pendant makes a perfect confirmation gift, a beautiful charm to add one's bracelet, that something old for bride's bouquet or as a reminder of your love for Our Lady. It is small enough that it can be worn comfortably every day and stacked with other necklace for a layered look. It is in very good condition with NO breaks or cracks to silver. The bail allows for chains up to 5mm to be used. The front face of the pendant has the "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee", whilst the back has twelve stars, a large letter M surmounted by a cross, and the stylized Sacred Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns and Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced with a sword, just as Saint Catherine saw in her vision. If you would like a little more information regarding the origins of the Miraculous Miracle Pendant and Creed Jewelry Co., please continue reading after specifications below:
* Solid Sterling Silver
* Manufacture Mark "Creed"
* Measures 5/8" inch in length and wide Heart Shaped
* 1.10 grams
* c. 1980's
* Chain NOT included
The Miraculous Medal (French: Médaille miraculeuse), also known as the Medal of Our Lady of Grace, is a devotional medal, the design of which was originated by Saint Catherine Labouré following her apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rue du Bac, Paris, France.
Catherine Labouré stated that on 18 July 1830, the eve of the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, she woke up after hearing the voice of a child calling her to the chapel, where she heard the Virgin Mary say to her, "God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the grace to do what is necessary. Tell your spiritual director all that passes within you. Times are evil in France and in the world."
The chapel in which Saint Catherine experienced her visions is located at the mother house of the Daughters of Charity in Rue du Bac, Paris. The incorrupt bodies of Saint Catherine Labouré and Saint Louise de Marillac, a co-founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, are interred in the chapel, which continues to receive daily visits from Catholic pilgrims today.
On 27 November 1830 Catherine reported that the Blessed Mother returned during evening meditations. She displayed herself inside an oval frame, standing upon a globe. She wore many rings set with gems[7] that shone rays of light over the globe. Around the margin of the frame appeared the words Ô Marie, conçue sans péché, priez pour nous qui avons recours à vous ("O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee"). As Catherine watched, the frame seemed to rotate, showing a circle of twelve stars, a large letter M surmounted by a cross, and the stylized Sacred Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns and Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced with a sword. Asked why some of the gems did not shed light, Mary reportedly replied, "Those are the graces for which people forget to ask." Sister Catherine then heard the Virgin Mary ask her to take these images to her father confessor, telling him that they should be put on medallions, and saying "All who wear them will receive great graces."
Creed Jewelry was founded in 1946 by William Creed in Attleboro Massachusetts, one of the major hubs in early US jewelry manufacturing. In his early years Mr. Creed was a wholesale jewelry salesman in New England, specializing in Christian items and rosaries. As he traveled his route he often heard from customers that they wanted rosaries that were more ornate and made with better quality stones. He wasn’t successful in convincing his employer to expand their line so after a few years he started his own plant. William Creed traveled to Austria and the Czech Republic where he convinced Swarovski and other fine glass and crystal companies to become his suppliers.
His business flourished in the late 1940s and 1950s. His health, unfortunately, did not. As he spent less and less time at the helm, his son, Jack Creed took over. Jack was better educated and was able to draw on his father’s experiences to expand the family business. He added Aurora Borealis sparkling crystals to the rosaries and developed the “loc-link” cap design for constructing beaded chains.
While the primary business centered around Catholic rosaries, the Creed company also made many high quality charms during the period. Generally they are a medallion or cross style and have a design on the front and either a religious design or inspirational message on the back. They also crafted many figural charms depicting saints. The charms are always marked Creed along with the metal type on the back. There are no “unmarked” Creed charms.
In 1989 the Creed Company was sold but still remained in business in Wrentham Massachusetts.
In 2011 Creed was acquired by Christian Brands, located in Phoenix Arizona. The company currently makes all types of jewelry including rings, bracelets, pendants and chains in Christian themes. They also make a wide variety of Catholic rosaries.