Thanks for joining us on this pilgrimage in France to some of the most beautiful and holy sites.
Today we arrived on the Rue de Bac, to visit the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. It is here that we see the incorrupt body of St Catherine Laboure. You can read more about this incredible miracle and gift from God through the Blessed Virgin Mary here. In this very place the Mother of God appeared to young Sister Catherine Laboure. It was through Mary and the efforts of St. Catherine that we have the Miraculous medal from which countless miracles have come through prayer.
‘Behold the symbol of the graces I shed upon those who ask for them!’ Then an oval frame formed around the Blessed Virgin and I read in letters of gold: ‘O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.’
Blessed Virgin to Catherine Laboure
Reposed to the right of the altar in a glass encasement is the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Laboure who died on December 31, 1876 at the age of seventy.
In the sculpture of our Lady above the altar you see that she is standing on the globe, rays of light fall from her fingers representing the graces that she showers on those who ask for them. Ask, as she is eager to give!
Due to abundant graces and many miracles that occured to the faithful wearer of the medal, the people of Paris began to call it the, “Miraculous Medal”
St. Louise worked with St. Vincent de Paul in feeding and clothing the needy of the time. A statue of Louise de Marillac is located on the left lying enclosed in glass. She is not incorrupt rather is buried there at the chapel. Through the guidance of St. Vincent de Paul they formed the Daughter’s of Charity. At her death on March 15, 1660, the congregation had more than 40 houses in France. Six months later St. Vincent de Paul followed her in death. Louise de Marillac was canonized in 1934
Next, we traveled a short distance to pray before the remains of St. Vincent de Paul. St Vincent was born in poverty yet was recognized to be very intelligent at a young age. His parents worked hard to make available to him educational opportunities. He was ordained a priest in 1600 in Toulouse and in 1633, founded the Daughters of Charity, an apostolic association of women dedicated to works of charity. St. Vincent de Paul died in 1660 and was canonized in 1737.
The body of St. Vincent de Paul is not incorrpt, rather a wax mask was made when his body was exhumed giving us an excellent replica of his face. It remains in place over his skeleton.
St. Vincent was unselfishly available to the poor and wretched. We are reminded by Christ Himself in this quote from St Faustina’s diary of the importance of loving and helping our neighbor. St. Vincent de Paul lived this.
“I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it. I am giving you three ways of exercising mercy toward your neighbor: the first — by deed, the second — by word, the third — by prayer. In these three degrees is contained the fullness of mercy, and it is an unquestionable proof of love for Me. By this means a soul glorifies and pays reverence to My mercy.”
Diary of St Faustina Kowalski, 742
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION: “Every tree is known by it’s fruit.” Lk 6:44
Ask the Lord in prayer to show you how to bear good fruit. Ask also for the grace to forgive anyone you have not forgiven as this clears the way for God to do amazing things in your life.
Be a saint, what else is there! It’s the only endeavor that matters now and in the next life.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.’
Ad majorem Dei gloriam!!
I was not able to capture the eyes of St Catherine of Labourer, but those who have seen them say they are an incredible bright blue.