On November 28, the Church honors St. Catherine Labouré, the humble Daughter of Charity to whom Mary appeared, requesting that the Miraculous Medal be stamped so that all who wear it would receive great graces. Saint Catherine Labouré was born in France on May 2, 1806. She was the ninth of 11 children. Upon her mother’s death, when Catherine was eight years old, the young girl assumed the responsibilities of the household. It was said of her that she was a very quiet and practical child.
Eventually she became a Daughter of Charity, and when she was still a novice at the age of 24, the Virgin Mary appeared to her for the first time. Later, Mary appeared once again and requested that Catherine have a medal made portraying Mary just as she appeared. It took two years before Catherine was able to convince her spiritual director to have the medal created, their dispersal was so rapid and effective that it was said to be miraculous itself. She died in Paris on December 31, 1876 and was canonized in 1947 by Pope Pius XII. Her incorrupt body lies in the crypt of the convent.
St Catherine Laboure 2p SMC 8.5 x 11 R1R 20221012Prayer to Saint Catherine Laboure
Saint Catherine Labouré, you were the chosen confidant of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She revealed to you her desire that her children wear the Miraculous Medal as a mark of their love for her and in honor of her Immaculate Conception.
Intercede for us, that we may follow our heavenly mother’s desires. Ask that we may receive those special graces which flow from her motherly hands like rays of light.
Amen.
Prayer to Saint Catherine Laboure
Saint Catherine Laboure O Saint Catherine Laboure, who by thy filial confidence in the Blessed Virgin, merited the privilege of contemplating and conversing with her while on this earth, obtain for us a faith like unto thine in her maternal love.
Grant that we may understand and appreciate the value of prudent silence and of humility, and obtain for us the grace to show forth these virtues in our lives. Teach us to accomplish faithfully the duties of our state in order that we may merit the happiness of contemplating with thee our Immaculate Mother for all eternity.
Amen.
Novena to Saint Catherine Laboure
Repeat the following Novena prayers every day for 9 consecutive days.
Opening Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created;
and Thou shall renew the face of the earth.
0 God, You instructed the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit.
Grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise
and ever to rejoice in His consolation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for who have recourse to thee.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for who have recourse to thee.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for who have recourse to thee.
Lord Jesus Christ, You have been pleased
to glorify by numberless miracles the Blessed Virgin Mary,
immaculate from the first moment of her conception.
Grant that all who devoutly implore her protection on earth
may eternally enjoy Your presence in heaven,
Who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
live and reign, God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, for the accomplishment of Your works,
You have chosen the weak things of the world,
that no flesh may glory in Your sight.
And for a better and more widely diffused belief
in the Immaculate Conception of Your Mother,
You have wished that the Miraculous Medal
be manifested to Saint Catherine Laboure.
Grant, we beseech thee, that filled with like humility,
we may glorify this mystery by word and work.
Amen.
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
and sought thy intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my mother,
to thee I come,
before thee I stand sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate!
despise not my petitions,
but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me.
Amen.
Prayer of Saint Catherine Laboure
Whenever I go to the chapel,
I put myself in the presence of our good Lord,
and I say to Him,
“Lord, I am here. Tell me what You would have me do.”
If He gives me some task, I am content and I thank Him.
If He gives me nothing, I still thank Him
since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that.
And then, I tell God everything that is in my heart.
I tell Him about my pains and my joys, and then I listen.
If you listen, God will also speak to you.
for with the good Lord, you have to both speak and listen.
God always speaks to you when you approach Him plainly and simply.
Collect for Saint Catherine Laboure
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast deigned to strengthen the Virgin, blessed Catherine, by a wonderful vision of Thy Immaculate Mother; grant, we beseech Thee, that after the examples of tender devotion shown us by the same blessed Catherine, we may so honor Thy holy Mother as to obtain the joys of eternal life. Who liveth and reigneth with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
Amen.
