Catherine Labouré (1806-1876)

Feast Day: November 28
Canonization: July 27, 1947

Catherine Labouré was born in the Burgundy region of France. She was devout from a young age and demonstrated keen insights and mystical gifts. As a young woman, she joined the Daughters of Charity after having a dream of its founder, St. Vincent de Paul.

While still a 24-year old novice, Catherine experienced the first of her visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who told her that God was charging her with a mission. In 1830, the Blessed Mother appeared again, this time inside an oval frame, standing on a globe, with rays of light coming from her hands. Around the frame appeared the words, “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

Mary asked her to relay the images to her confessor, telling him that they should be put on medallions. “All who wear them will receive great graces,” she said. Approved by the archbishop in 1832, the Miraculous Medal quickly spread through France and was credited with conversions and graces for sinners. Catherine died at age 70. Her incorrupt body lies in the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris. She is the patroness of seniors because she spent most of her years caring for the aged and infirm.