The Basics: Born May 2, 1806, in France; died December 31, 1876, in France; canonized July 27, 1947, by Pope Pius XII; feast day, November 28. Woman religious; visionary.
The Story: She was nobody special. Catherine would have told you that, just a girl in a large family who lost 
her mother when she was nine and was raised by an aunt after that point. She found comfort in the Blessed Virgin. Catherine was twenty-four and a sister in the Daughters of Charity when the Blessed Virgin gave her a special task from God: to have a medal created that showed Mary on a globe, stepping on a serpent’s head with light coming from her hands. After some initial skepticism, church authorities commissioned the issuance of what would be known as the Miraculous Medal. And what of Catherine? She toiled quietly for forty years, helping aged men. She did not speak of her gift again until shortly before her death.
Catherine’s Wisdom: “I knew nothing; I was nothing. For this reason God picked me out.”
What We Can Learn from Catherine: When God makes a request, we’re called to say yes, regardless of whether we think He’s picked the right person. Pray for the faith to be obedient in a situation where you feel woefully inadequate to do His work.
To Learn More About Catherine: Visit the site for the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my books, Blessed Are You: Finding Inspiration from Our Sisters in Faith or Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
