The Christophers: A Vision of the Miraculous Medal

Fr. Ed Dougherty,

M.M. Board of Directors

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Saint Catherine Laboure said, “One must see God in everyone.” She lived by this wisdom throughout her vocation as one of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, serving the elderly and infirm for 40 years at the Hospice d’Enghien in the village of Reuilly near Paris, France. We celebrate her feast day on November 28th, which makes her a wonderful saint to turn to for intercession as we prepare ourselves for the Advent and Christmas season.

Saint Catherine is best known for sharing with the world our Blessed Mother’s request for the creation of the Miraculous Medal. We see in her humble life how God works miracles in those willing to quiet themselves to allow His grace to be amplified.

Born in 1806, Catherine was one of 11 children, and she was just nine years old when they lost their mother to tuberculosis. Returning home after her mother’s funeral, Catherine sought out the family’s statue of Mary and declared, “Now, dear Blessed Mother, now you will be my mother.” It’s a scene that demonstrates her early understanding of the role Christ wants His mother to play in our lives. Catherine understood that Mary was given to us as the mother of all humanity in one of the last acts of Christ’s earthly life, declaring to Mary from the cross, “Woman, behold, your son!” and to John, “Behold your mother!”

Growing up in the aftermath of the French Revolution, Catherine witnessed a society struggling to stay connected to Christ in the face of the anti-religious fervor among leading intellectuals. In a vision she had of Mary on the Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, Catherine was cautioned about the challenges still ahead for France and for the world. But Mary also offered herself as an intercessor on our behalf. In a series of visions to Catherine, Mary provided the revelation of the Miraculous Medal.

These apparitions occurred in 1830, shortly after Catherine had entered religious life at the convent. Within two years, approval was granted for the medallions to be created by French goldsmith Adrien Vachette, who produced and sold over two million medals during the next four years. The devotion became so popular that it is said to have influenced Pope Pius IX’s proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee,” was the prayer Mary gave to ask for her intercession, revealing the truth of the Immaculate Conception and inspiring prayers that resulted in miracles. By the time of Catherine’s death in 1876, the devotion had spread throughout the world, and over a billion medals had been distributed.

As for Catherine, she maintained her humble way of life, helping those in need and even doing regular menial chores on the farm connected to the hospice where she served. Though she was certainly one of the great influencers of her time, Catherine never sought attention for herself, preferring, instead, the way of humility.

As we look to enter Advent with the spirit of humility that will prepare us to celebrate the birth of our Savior, we can take inspiration from Saint Catherine Laboure and all those saints who chose the glory of God over themselves, following in the footsteps of Christ, who showed us the way of sacrifice. So, let us pray for the intercession of Saint Catherine Laboure, that our actions always be aimed at for love of others and glory to God.

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For free copies of the Christopher News Note IMITATING CHRIST’S HUMILITY, write: The Christophers, 264 West 40th Street, Room 603, New York, NY 10018; or e-mail: mail@christophers.org