Meet St. Catherine Laboure

"One must see God in everyone."

 

Who Was St. Catherine?

St Catherine Laboure lived in France in the the 1830’s, she was the daughter of farmer. Her real name was Zoe but her family called her Catherine. Her mum died when she was 9 and she went to live with an aunt nearby.
She missed her mum and became close to the virgin Mary, asking her to look after her and be her mother. When she was still very young Catherine had a dream about a priest, whom she later recognised as Vincent de Paul.  In the dream he encouraged her to care for the sick but he also said:
“God has plans for you. Don't forget!”

Catherine really wanted to be a Sister of Charity – founded by St Vincent, it took a long time but eventually she persuaded her father and she joined the Sisters of Charity when she was 24, this is when something incredible happened.

One night she was woken by a child and taken to the chapel where she saw a lady seated in the sanctuary, it was Mary, the mother of Jesus. She approached her and was shown an image of Mary in an oval frame, standing upon a globe with rays of light coming out of her hands and going in the direction of a globe. Around the edge were the words "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." On the reverse side of the medal was a cross, intertwined with the letter “M”. Mary then asked her to take these images to her Priest and tell him to make a medal.

 "All who wear them will receive great graces.”

Millions of miraculous medals were made in the first few years, everybody in France had one! To this day they are the most popular Christian medal in the world.

St. Catherine served humbly, not wishing to be known as a visionary, she went to live in a convent outside Paris and looked after the sick all her life. People knew her for being holy and caring but no one knew it was her who had seen Mary and made the medal.  It was only after 46 years of service that she informed her Sister Superior that she was the Sister that Mary had appeared to.  At Catherine’s death, on December 31, 1876, at the age of 70, few people knew of her visions. She preferred a silent life, spending her time caring for the aged and sick.

She is a wonderful example of humility and service, putting the needs of others before her own image – a great intercessor and example for our House.

Feast Day:      28^th November

Nationality:    French

Patron of:       Miraculous Medal

 

 

Prayers:

"O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us when we ask your help. Amen"

“Lord, I am here.  Tell me what you would have me do. Amen”

“If He gives me some task I am content and I thank Him.

If he gives me nothing, I still thank Him

Since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that,

and then I tell God everything that is in my heart.

I tell him about my pains and my joys, and then I listen.”

If you listen, God will also speak to you.

For with the good Lord, you have to both speak and listen.

God always speaks to you when you approach him plainly and simply.