Saint Catherine Laboure, a virgin born on May 2, 1806, joined the Daughters of Charity in Paris at a young age. In 1830, she experienced three extraordinary visions of the Virgin Mary as a 24-year-old novice.

The initial apparition occurred on July 18 in the motherhouse of her community. St. Catherine saw a lady sitting to the right of the sanctuary. Approaching her, St. Catherine received guidance for times of hardship and was directed towards the altar for solace. The lady foretold of a mission for St. Catherine, warning it would bring her suffering, and predicted the 1870 anticlerical uprising in Paris.

On November 27, the lady presented St. Catherine with the design of the Immaculate Conception medal, later known as the “Miraculous Medal.” She was instructed to create and promote this medal. Initially, only her confessor, Father Aladel, was aware of these apparitions. It wasn’t until 45 years later that St. Catherine disclosed the full details to a superior. She passed away on December 31, 1876, and was canonized on July 27, 1947.

Photo credit: Sidney de Almeida / Shutterstock.com
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8 COMMENTS

  1. Saint Catherine Labouré, you were the chosen confidant of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She revealed to you her desire that her children wear the Miraculous Medal as a mark of their love for her and in honor of her Immaculate Conception.
    Intercede for us, that we may follow our heavenly mother’s desires. Ask that we may receive those special graces which flow from her motherly hands like rays of light. Amen

  2. Saints Catherine Labouré and Vincent de Paul, pray for us.
    For; faith, hope, love, life, truth, peace, prudence, humility.
    All holy men and women, martyrs, saints, angels, pray for us.
    For conversion of sinners and redemption of suffering souls.
    Holy Family of Nazareth, restore matrimony and family life.
    Transform all of mankind’s iniquity into integrity. Amen.
    Ecce Crucem Domini!
    Fugite partes adversae!
    Vicit Leo de tribu Juda,
    Radix David! Alleluia!
    Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us. Reclaim sacred soil.

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