Saint Catherine Laboure

Saint Catherine Laboure was the ninth of eleven children. When Catherine was eight years old, her mother died and she had to assume the household responsibilities.

When she was older, she worked in a hospital run by the Daughters of Charity founded by Saint Vincent de Paul. Catherine received a vision where her vocation was revealed to her. She became a Daughter of Charity and worked with the sick.

Upon entering religious life, Catherine began receiving visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Blessed Mother told Catherine to have a medal struck, which she described it to her in great detail. It is now called the Miraculous Medal and is worn today by millions of faithful around the world.

She died in Paris on December 31, 1876 and was canonized in 1947 by Pope Pius XII. Her incorrupt body lies in the crypt of the convent.

“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”