Saint Catherine Labouré (Feast Day: November 28) was born in France in 1806. She joined the Daughters of Charity in 1830, and a few months later, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to her, telling her that she would be given a mission from God. Shortly after that, Mary appeared again to her, this time inside an oval frame, standing on a globe, with rays of light flowing from her hands onto the globe. Around the frame were the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” 

Catherine shared this with her spiritual director, as Mary had told her to have the image cast as medallions, but he didn’t believe her at first. Two years later, the archbishop finally had 2,000 medals made, and they were dispersed so rapidly and effectively that the event was called miraculous. 

Only a few people knew that Catherine was the one to receive the vision, so she lived out her life in obscurity, taking care of the infirm and elderly. Her body is incorrupt, and she was canonized in 1947. 

Questions for Reflection: 

• St. Catherine Labouré lived most of her life without anyone knowing that she had received a vision from Our Lady. How can you practice humility as she did? 
• How can you listen to God’s call in your life?