Born in France in 1806, Catherine, who was also called Zoe, was the ninth of eleven children born to Piere and Madeleine Gontard who were farmers. 

When she was nine years old Catherine’s mother died and, at the funeral, she saw a small statue The Blessed Mother. Picking it up, Catherine kissed it and said; “Now, you will be my mother.” 

Her aunt took in Catherine and her younger sister as she grew increasingly close to Jesus and Mary, often seeing visions. 

When she was old enough, Catherine joined the Daughters of Charity, founded by St. Vincent De Paul, and soon The Blessed Mother appeared to her. 

On the night of July 18, 1830, Catherine heard the voice of a child waking her up and calling her to The Chapel. There, The Blessed Mother was waiting and said to her; “God wishes to charge you with a Mission. You will be contradicted but do not fear. You will have the grace to do what is necessary. Tell your Spiritual Director all that passes within you. Times are evil; in France and the world.” 

Nine nights later The Blessed Mother returned to Catherine during evening meditations, displaying herself inside an oval frame and standing on a globe while wearing many rings of different colors, shining rays that covered the globe. 

When Catherine asked why some of the rays did not shine, The Blessed Mother said those are the Graces for which people forget to ask. 

On the oval frame, there were these words: 

Oh Mary, Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

And, on the frame which seemed to rotate were twelve stars, and in the middle, a large “M” with the Cross on top and The Immaculate Heart of Mary underneath. 

The Blessed Mother told Catherine to tell her Spiritual Director these images were to be placed on medals for people to wear, telling her; “All; who weather them will receive great Graces.” 

Catherine did as she was told and after two full years of being observed and interviewed the priests presented visions to the Archbishop, never revealing Caterine’s identity. 

The medals were approved, created, and distributed, immediately becoming popular, which they are to this day. 

Catherine spent the rest of her life as a Sister and a nurse telling no one about her visions of the Miraculous Medal. It was only after her death in 1876 that Catherine’s identity was revealed. 

St. Catherine Laboure, please pray for us.