Here stands Ste. Catherine-Labouré. This church is a focal point for Montreal’s French-speaking Catholic community. Ste. Catherine-Labouré offers regular masses and adoration.
Ste. Catherine Labouré herself was a French member of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul. She was also a Marian visionary. Catherine is believed to have relayed the request from the Blessed Virgin Mary to create the Miraculous Medal. Millions of people around the world wear it today. For her dedication, she is called the patroness of seniors.
Catherine Labouré was born on May 2 1806 in France. Her parents were Madeleine Louise Gontard and Pierre Labouré. She was the ninth of eleven living children. Her baptismal name was Zoe. The family rarely used that name. Catherine’s mother died on October 9 1815. Catherine was only nine years old.
Catherine and her sister Marie Antoinette moved to their aunt’s house. It was in Saint-Rémy. That village was about 9 kilometers from their home. There Catherine had a dream. She saw a priest whom she later recognized as Vincent de Paul. The priest said to her “My daughter it is good to care for the sick. For now you flee from me. But one day you will be glad to approach me. God has plans for you. Don’t forget it”.
At age 12 Catherine returned to her father’s farm. She helped care for her family. Later her father wanted to deter her from her religious vocation. He sent her to Paris to work in his brother’s eating establishment. It was for poor workers. There she observed their suffering. She continued to desire a life as a nurse. She wanted to be with the Daughters of Charity.
Catherine Labouré began her novitiate on April 21 1830. She was at the convent on the Rue du Bac in Paris. On January 30 1831 she took her vows. It is at this convent that she had visions. These visions of the Virgin Mary led to the creation of the Miraculous Medal.
In April 1830 the remains of Vincent de Paul were moved. They went to the Vincentian church in Paris. The solemnities included a novena. On three successive evenings Catherine experienced a vision. It was in the convent chapel. She saw what she took to be the heart of St Vincent. It was above a shrine. The shrine contained a relic from his right arm. Each time the heart appeared a different color. It was white then red and then black. She interpreted this to mean the Vincentian communities would prosper. She also thought there would be a change of government. The convent chaplain advised her to forget the matter.
Labouré stated that on July 19 1830 she woke up. It was the eve of the feast of St Vincent de Paul. She heard a child’s voice calling her to the chapel. There she heard the Virgin Mary say 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 in the world”.
On November 27 1830 Labouré reported that Mary returned. It was during evening meditations. Mary displayed herself inside an oval frame. She was standing upon a globe. Rays of light came out of her hands. They went in the direction of the globe. Around the margin of the frame appeared the words “O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee”. As Labouré watched the frame seemed to rotate. It showed a circle of twelve stars. There was also a large letter M surmounted by a cross. The stylized Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary were underneath.
Mary then asked her to take these images to her father confessor. She told him that they should be put on medallions. “All who wear them will receive great graces”. Labouré did so. After two years the priest took the information to his archbishop. He did not reveal her identity. The request was approved. The design of the medallions was commissioned. They proved to be exceedingly popular. The Miraculous Medal was quickly adopted by millions.
Immediately after taking her vows Labouré was sent to the Hospice d’Enghien. It was located in the village of Reuilly. She spent the next forty years there. She cared for the elderly and infirm. For this she is called the patroness of seniors.
Labouré died in the Hospice on December 31 1876. She was 70 years old. Her body was later moved. It is now encased in glass. It is beneath the side altar in the Chapel of Our Lady of Graces of the Miraculous Medal in Paris.
Her cause for sainthood was declared. This was upon discovery that her body was incorrupt. She was beatified on May 28 1933 by Pope Pius XI. She was canonized on July 27 1947 by Pope Pius XII.
Labouré’s feast day is observed on November 28.