CATERINA LABOURÉ, saint. — Born at Fain-les-Moutiers, in Burgundy, on 2 May 1806; died in Paris on 31 December 1876. Admitted to the seminary (novitiate) of the Daughters of Charity on 21 April 1830, during the celebrations for the solemn translation of the relics of s. Vincenzo (April 1830), she saw the Saint’s heart several times, first white, then dark red, and finally vermilion, while an inner voice explained its symbolism to her. The Lord repeatedly appeared to her in the Blessed Sacrament during Mass, in connection with the mystery of the day.
More notable was the manifestation of the Blessed Virgin, which gave rise to the Miraculous Medal. On the night of 18 July 1830 (1st apparition), awakened by an angel and invited to go down to the chapel, C. saw to the right of the altar « a Lady of extraordinary beauty », who spoke to her at length and concluded by predicting that « a mission » would be entrusted to her. Four months later, on the evening of 27 November (2nd apparition), during meditation, the Virgin appeared to her again above, at the side of the altar, standing upright on a globe that was visible by half, holding in her hands another, smaller globe (« virgo potens »). Suddenly this disappeared, and her fingers became filled with rings set with precious stones, from which rays spread in every direction. Then the Virgin lowered her eyes toward the nun, and also lowered her hands; a voice explained that the globe beneath her feet represented the world, and the rays the graces granted to those who ask for them. An oval frame then formed around Our Lady, bearing an inscription in golden letters that read: « O Maria concepita senza peccato pregate per noi che ricorriamo a Voi ». A voice ordered her to « have a medal struck according to this model », promising great graces to those who wore it « especially around the neck ». The Sister confided everything to her confessor, p. Aladel. In December of the same year 1830 (3rd apparition), sr. C. again saw Our Lady, with details similar to those of 27 November, but above the Tabernacle. The medal, struck two years later, spread in a remarkable manner. After completing her novitiate, sr. C. was sent to the hospice of « Enghien » in Paris itself, where for 46 years she humbly and devotedly cared for the poor elderly, always maintaining the most absolute silence about having been privileged by Mary. Pius XI proclaimed the heroic nature of her virtues in 1931, and then beatified her in 1933; Pius XII canonized her on 27 July 1947. Her relics are venerated in the Chapel of the Apparitions (Paris, 140 Rue de Bac). The feast is celebrated by Vincentian families on 28 November.