“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Saint Catherine Laboure was born as Zoe on May 2, 1806 in Burgundy, France. She was the ninth of eleven children of a farm family. From an early age Catherine felt a call to religious life. She never learned to read or write. When her mother died when she was eight years old she was forced to take over the running of the house when her older sister joined the Sisters of Charity. She worked as a waitress in her uncle's cafe in Paris. She received a vision from Saint Vincent de Paul told her that God wanted her to work with the sick and she joined the Sisters of Charity taking the name Catherine.
On July 18, 1830 she had a vision of the Blessed Mother who described to her a medal which she wished to be made. On one side it had the the image of Our Lady with the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” On the other side are the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Mary told Catherine that the people who wore the medal would receive great graces. It became known as the Miraculous Medal and the devotion has spread across the world. Saint Catherine died on December 31, 1876 and miracles have been reported at her tomb in the convent chapel. Her body is incorrupt.
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.
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