(1806-1876) Baptised as Zoe, she was born in the Burgundy region in France to a poor farm family and was the ninth of 11 children. Zoe joined the Daughters of Charity in Paris at age 24, taking the name Catherine. During her novitiate, in 1830, Saint Mary appeared to her twice, instructing her to create what is now known as the Miraculous Medal. After taking final vows, Catherine worked for 40 years in a hospice outside of Paris, not telling anyone that she was the one who received the visions of the Miraculous Medal.
The Miraculous Medal is a sacramental, a sacred sign that signifies graces obtained through the intercession of the Church. We can do through God’s grace what we cannot do on our own, as demonstrated in Steps 1 and 2. The Lord said to Saint Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). We turn to Jesus, along with the intercession of the saints and the Church, relying on grace outside ourselves.
“O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee” (Miraculous Medal).
Reflection by Brad Farmer