Births on May 2

Catherine Labouré, French nun and saint (d. 1876)

Born Zoé Labouré on May 2, 1806, in the small village of Fain-lès-Moutiers, Burgundy, France, Saint Catherine Labouré was a remarkable figure whose life intertwined profound spiritual experiences with decades of dedicated, humble service. She passed away on December 31, 1876. A devout French nun, she was a cherished member of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, a venerable religious congregation renowned for its commitment to serving the poor and vulnerable. However, it was her extraordinary role as a Marian visionary that cemented her place in Catholic history and global devotion.

At the heart of Catherine Labouré's story are the significant apparitions she experienced in 1830 within the chapel of the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity on Rue du Bac in Paris. During these spiritual encounters, she is believed to have received direct messages from the Blessed Virgin Mary. Most famously, she relayed a specific request from the Virgin Mary for the creation of a special medal. This medal, initially known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, quickly became revered worldwide as the "Miraculous Medal of Our Lady of Graces," and it is now worn by millions of faithful individuals across the globe as a symbol of faith and protection.

Despite the profound impact of these visions and the subsequent spread of the Miraculous Medal, Catherine Labouré herself lived a life of quiet humility. For forty years following the apparitions, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her primary mission within the Daughters of Charity: caring for the aged and infirm at the Hospice d'Enghien in Paris. Her steadfast compassion and tireless service to the elderly and the sick were exemplary, embodying the very charism of her congregation. It is for this enduring dedication and tender care that she is affectionately known and venerated as the patroness of seniors, a testament to her deep empathy and practical love for those in their later years.

The Early Life and Vocation of Catherine Labouré

Catherine Labouré's journey began in a rural French farming family, the ninth of eleven children. Her mother passed away when Catherine was just nine years old, leaving her to take on significant responsibilities within the household at a very young age. Despite the hardships of her early life and limited formal education, Catherine always possessed a deep faith. After much prayer and facing initial resistance from her father, she felt a strong calling to religious life. At the age of 24, she joined the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in Paris on April 21, 1830. This congregation, co-founded by Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac, was revolutionary in its time for ministering directly to the poor outside cloistered walls, working actively in hospitals, schools, and charitable institutions.

The Extraordinary Visions of Rue du Bac

It was only a few months into her novitiate that Catherine Labouré experienced a series of profound and private visions in the convent chapel. The most significant of these occurred on the night of July 18, 1830, when she was reportedly woken by a child angel who led her to the chapel. There, she claimed to have conversed for several hours with the Blessed Virgin Mary, who foretold future challenges for France and the Church, and encouraged her in her ministry. The second and most famous apparition took place on November 27, 1830. During this vision, the Virgin Mary appeared standing on a globe, crushing a serpent underfoot, with rays of light streaming from her hands. Around her, an oval frame appeared bearing the inscription: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." The Virgin then instructed Catherine to have a medal struck according to this model, promising great graces to those who wore it with confidence. On the reverse side, Catherine saw a cross surmounted by a capital 'M' and two hearts, one pierced with a sword (representing Mary) and the other encircled with thorns (representing Jesus), surrounded by twelve stars.

The Miraculous Medal: A Symbol of Faith and Grace

Following the Virgin Mary's instructions, Catherine Labouré, under the guidance of her confessor, Father Jean-Marie Aladel, eventually convinced him to proceed with the creation of the medal. Initially, there was skepticism, but after two years, the first medals were struck in 1832. Almost immediately, reports of miracles, healings, and conversions attributed to the medal began to circulate throughout Paris and beyond. What was first called the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, reflecting its central inscription, soon earned the popular moniker "Miraculous Medal" due to the numerous extraordinary favors reported by those who wore it. Its design is rich with symbolism: the Virgin standing on the globe signifies her queenship over the world; the crushing of the serpent denotes her victory over evil; the rays from her hands symbolize the graces she intercedes for humanity; the inscription proclaims the dogma of the Immaculate Conception (officially defined later in 1854); and the reverse side beautifully illustrates the unity of Jesus and Mary's hearts, surrounded by the twelve apostles and the Cross of Christ.

A Life of Quiet Devotion and Service

Despite being the instrument chosen for such a monumental spiritual revelation, Catherine Labouré lived out the remainder of her life in remarkable obscurity and humility. For four decades, from 1831 until her death, she served at the Hospice d'Enghien in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine area of Paris. Her duties were often mundane: caring for the elderly, cleaning, washing linens, and working in the kitchen and poultry yard. She never sought personal recognition and kept her role in the Miraculous Medal's origin a closely guarded secret, known only to her confessor and superior. It was not until shortly before her death that her identity as the visionary was widely revealed. Her life of hidden service, marked by unwavering dedication to the most vulnerable members of society, truly embodied the spirit of charity central to her religious order. Her beatification occurred on May 28, 1933, and she was canonized a saint by Pope Pius XII on July 27, 1947. Her incorrupt body rests in the chapel at Rue du Bac, where the apparitions took place.

FAQs about Saint Catherine Labouré and the Miraculous Medal

Who was Saint Catherine Labouré?

Saint Catherine Labouré was a French nun (1806-1876) of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, most famous for being a Marian visionary who relayed the Blessed Virgin Mary's request to create the Miraculous Medal.

When and where did she experience the Marian apparitions?

Her most significant visions occurred in 1830, primarily in the chapel of the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity on Rue du Bac in Paris, France.

What is the Miraculous Medal?

The Miraculous Medal is a devotional medal, the design of which was revealed by the Blessed Virgin Mary to Saint Catherine Labouré. It features Mary standing on a globe with rays emanating from her hands, surrounded by the words "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." The reverse typically shows a cross, the letter 'M', and two hearts, surrounded by twelve stars. It is worn by millions worldwide as a symbol of faith and a source of grace.

Why is it called the "Miraculous Medal"?

It earned its popular name because of the countless reports of miracles, healings, and conversions attributed to its intercession soon after its distribution began. It was originally called the Medal of the Immaculate Conception.

What was Saint Catherine Labouré's work after the visions?

After the apparitions, Saint Catherine Labouré dedicated forty years of her life to humble service, caring for the aged and infirm at the Hospice d'Enghien in Paris, maintaining a life of quiet devotion and anonymity until shortly before her death.

Why is she considered the patroness of seniors?

She is called the patroness of seniors due to her four decades of dedicated and compassionate service in caring for the aged and infirm, embodying practical love and empathy for the elderly.