Our Vincentian Heroes
Catherine Labouré
Catherine Labouré was born on the 2nd of May, 1806 in Burgundy, France. She was the ninth child in a family of eleven. God made 
known the choice of this soul by marking her at an early age with the seal of suffering, for when she was only nine years old she lost her mother.
Catherine Labouré entering the Community of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris. Here, during the first months of her novitiate, she was favored with a number of apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who confided to her the mission of having the Medal of the Immaculate Conception made. Today, this Medal is popularly known as the Miraculous Medal.
Until shortly before her death Sister Catherine kept a strict silence concerning these apparitions, speaking of them only to her confessor, according to the instructions of Our Lady.
For 46 years Catherine witnessed the wonders and miracles brought about through the Miraculous Medal. During all this time, she humbly performed her commonplace duties, devoting herself especially to the care of the old men of Enghien, a suburb of Paris, France.
On December 31, 1876, Catherine Labouré left this earth for heaven.
Her body was exhumed 57 years later and found in perfect condition. Even death respected her who had enjoyed the extraordinary privilege of resting her hands on the knees of the Blessed Virgin for more than two hours during one of the apparitions. Sister Catherine was canonized by Pope Pius XII on July 27, 1947.
The simplicity of Sister Catherine's life endears her to everyone. She became a saint by doing her commonplace duties well, for God. This "Saint of Ordinary People" has the secret of sanctity for us all.
