The document provides biographical information about Saint Catherine Labouré and Saint Louise de Marillac. It summarizes that Saint Catherine Labouré was a French farm girl who in 1830 had a vision of the Virgin Mary, who asked her to have a medal struck with certain symbols representing graces. She told her confessor Father Aladel, who later had the first Miraculous Medals created. Saint Louise de Marillac co-founded the Daughters of Charity with Saint Vincent de Paul in 1633 to serve the poor. She negotiated on behalf of orphans and explained the secular nature of the order. Both women lived in France in the 17th-18th centuries and worked to help the poor through their religious vocations.

1. V Înti Fam y
The Congregation of the Mission
also known as Vincentian Fathers
and Brothers or Lazarists, is a
vowed community of Roman
Catholic priests and brothers.
Founded by St Vincent De Paul.
The members add the letters
C.M. to their name.
They help evangelize the poor
and form clergies
Cоgregatiо the M iо
F m Establ hm t
25th
January 1625
Cоfrat niti Ch ity
1617
Châtillon-les-Dombes
(in the Lyons region
of France), the Confraternities
of Charity was founded by
Vincent. It was the first
institutional expression of the
Vincentian charism. It was
made up of ladies of the
bourgeoisie, brought together
to help the poor to help them
get back on their feet by
providing spiritual
and material support.
Vincent de Paul founding Confraternity of Charity at Chatillon
St Vincent De Paul St Louise de Marillac
A prayer to
honour the
Immaculate
Conception of
Our Lady
1830 the year of
St. Catherine’s
apparition
Rays of light
symbolises
the graces
available to
those who ask
Mary stands on the earth and
the serpernt represents Satan,
is crushed under her feet
(Genesis 3:15)
The Cross
represents Jesus and
His sacrifice for us
The M represents
Mary. Intertwined
with the foot of the
cross. It points to
Jesus giving his
Mother to us as
our own
(John19:26-27)
The 12 stars refers to John’s
vision in revelation “and on
her head a crown of 12
stars” (Revelation 12:1)
Immaculate Heart of Mary:
The flame represents Her
burning love. The piercing
sword represents her sorrow
Who is Saint Catherine Labouré?
Catherine Labouré was born in Fain-lès-Moutiers,
a small agricultural plain in Burgundy, France. She
was a farm girl.
1830 — She joined the Daughters of Charity after
a dream about St Vincent De Paul. She took
the name of Catherine
July 18 — First apparition, she woke up after
hearing a voice of a child calling her to the chapel.
Here, Mary told her God had a mission for her
“Have a medal struck on this model.
All who wear it will receive great graces.”
The Blessed Virgin to St Catherine
M ac MedM ac Med
Who is Saint Louise de Marillac?
Louise de Marillac was born near
Le Meux, now in the department of
Oise, northern France. She was a
member of the prominent
de Marillac family.
Some of Louise de Marillac’s
works
• Formed the first Daughters of
Charity together with
Vincent De Paul in 1633
• Refined details of hospital
contracts with civil and church
authorities
I urge all of them to be very
courageous especially in
perfecting themselves in the
practice of true humility,
gentleness, obedience, cordiality
and support for one another.
— St. Louise de Marillac
With good reason the
Church addresses the
Blessed Virgin as the
Mother of Mercy
— Spiritual Writings, A.14b, p 775—
Sa t L e de M ac
On 25 January, the feast of St Paul, Vincent spoke
on the need for confession. This is the foundation
of the Congregation and the Charism.
In order to have permanance and organisation,
Vincent together with the financial support from
the Gondis, the Congregation of the Mission was
formally established.
1620
The first Confraternity of
Charity for men was
established at Folleville.
Daught Ch ity
1633
Vincent together with
Louise de Marillac
established the Company
of the Daughters of
Charity. It is a group of
women dedicated to
serving the "poorest of
the poor." Its members
make annual vows and
throughout their life,
which leaves them always
free to leave, without
need of ecclesiastical
permission. Prayer and
community life were
essential elements of their
vocation of service.
Vincent and Louise also
established Ladies of
Charity in 1635 in Paris.
Date of birth: 2 May 1806
Place of birth: Fain-lès-Moutiers,
Burgundy, France
Died: 31 December 1876
Canonised: July 27, 1947
Feast Day: 28 November
Patronage: Miraculous Medal
Sa t Cath e Lab é
Did y kn ?
In addition to the Miraculous Medal, while studying to be a
Daughter of Charity, Blessed Mother Mary appeared to Catherine
Labouré. Mary asked that young people be organized in her name
and that “graces would be bestowed upon them.” In 1830, the
Vincentian Marian Youth (VMY) was born! The purpose is to
energize our faith by connecting us more closely to Jesus Christ
and each other.
Date of birth: 12 August 1591
Place of birth: Paris, France
Died: 15 March 1660
Canonised: 11 march 1934
Feast Day: 9 March
Patron saint of social workers
Nov 27 — Second apparition
Blessed Mother told her to
have medalions made. She
only told her confessor
Fr. Aladel about it, who was
not convinced at first
1832
Fr. Aladel took the information to the Archbishop of Paris
without revealing her identity. The first medals were created
and spread throughout France and the world
The bar is the
foot of the cross
where Mary
witnessed her
Son’s sacrifice
The Sacred Heart of
Jesus. The flame
represents His burning
love. The crown of
thorns represents his
sacrifice
• Obtained authorization to establish
a free school for less fortunate little
girls from the Canons of Notre-Dame
de Paris
• Negotiated with Ladies of Charity
to have building remodeled for
orphans
• Explained the Daughters’ “secular”
nature to skeptical Vicar General
Spirittuall WWrritings, A.144b, p 775— S
St. Catherine Laboure