Catherine Laboure, a novitiate in the order of the Sisters of Charity, received various visions of St. Vincent de Paul and of Jesus present in the Eucharist, before also experiencing two apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the first vision, 1830, Catherine was told of the impending travails of France and of an unspecified future mission. Several months later she received a message detailing the designs for a medal, later known as the Miraculous Medal, now reproduced over a billion times and distributed around the world. The apparition was investigated in 1836 and later approved. St. Catherine worked for 46 more years in hospices of her Order tending to the aged and infirmed, and is now known as the patroness of seniors. Her body currently lies incorrupt at the site of the apparition in Paris (immediate right side of the altar), alongside St. Louise de Marillac (left of the altar) and the heart of St. Vincent de Paul (furthest right).
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Author’s Note
Located in central Paris, OLMM is one of the more easily accessible Marian apparition sites, and often draws large crowds of pilgrims. The nearby St. Vincent de Paul Chapel is a short walk away and is often more peaceful.
OLMM is also a rare apparition site where the exact location of Our Blessed Mother is documented in precise detail. The giftshop sells postcards detailing where in the chapel Mary appeared in each apparition to St. Catherine Laboure.
See also the related apparition of Our Lady of Zion in Rome.
-JMM