Welcome back to The Soul Unleashed Podcast with Mike Nicholas. In this captivating third episode of our podcast series on the apparitions of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, we'll talk about an extraordinary event that shook 19th-century Paris.
In this episode, discover the miraculous story of Catherine Labouré, a young novice who experienced a life-changing vision of the Blessed Mother in the heart of Paris in 1830. Mike explores the context of this event, the messages received, and its profound impact on the Catholic community. This narrative not only highlights the historical significance but also sheds light on why Marian apparitions captivate millions, transcending religious boundaries and sparking curiosity among spiritual seekers worldwide.
Facts:
Sister Catherine Laboure experienced three major apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They took place in the chapel of the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity, in Rue de Bac, Paris.
In the podcast, I refer to “two” apparitions, because the third was a repeat of the second, there the Blessed Mother showed the medal and then asked Catherine what was the cause of the delay. (It was because her confessor, Fr. Aladel, doubted the whole story, but of course the Blessed Mother knew that.)
First Apparition: On July 18, 1830, Saint Catherine first encountered the Virgin Mary. This apparition occurred at night when Catherine was woken by a young child (whom she understood to be her guardian angel) leading her to the chapel, where she saw the Virgin Mary seated near the altar.
Second Apparition: The second apparition took place on November 27, 1830. During this vision, Mary presented the design of the Miraculous Medal. Mary stood on a globe, with rays of light streaming from her hands and the frame formed by the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Third Apparition: no date, but a repeat of the second.
Dates:
- May 2, 1806: Birth of Catherine Labouré in Fain-lès-Moutiers, Burgundy, France.
- April 21, 1830: Catherine begins her novitiate with the Daughters of Charity in Paris.
- July 18, 1830: First apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Catherine Labouré.
- November 27, 1830: Second apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where the design of the Miraculous Medal is revealed.
- December 31, 1876: Death of Catherine Labouré in Paris.
- May 28, 1933: Beatification of Catherine Labouré by Pope Pius XI.
- July 27, 1947: Canonization of Catherine Labouré by Pope Pius XII.
Supportive References:
https://www.ewtn.com/
https://www.catholic.org/
Saint Catherine Laboure of the Miraculous Medal by Father Joseph Dirvin
The Life of Catherine Laboure: The Saint of the Miraculous Medal by Rene Laurentin.
Critical References:
The Cult of the Virgin: Catholic Mariology and the Apparitions of Mary by Elliot Miller and Kenneth R. Samples. This book provides a critical perspective on Marian apparitions, including those experienced by Catherine Laboure.
Looking for a Miracle: Weeping Icons, Relics, Stigmata, Visions & Healing Cures by Joe Nickell.
“The Visionary Experience in the Modern World: Studies of a Complex Interaction”, edited by Marlene Crandell Francis. This is a collection of essays with critical viewpoints on modern visionary experiences, including those of Catherin Laboure.
Approved Marian Apparitions (Chronological Order)
- Our Lady of the Pillar (Spain, 40 AD)
- Visionary: St. James the Greater
- Approval Status: Tradition and early Christian recognition.
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Aylesford, England, 1251)
- Visionary: St. Simon Stock
- Approval Status: Tradition and devotion recognized by the Carmelite Order.
- Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico, 1531)
- Visionary: St. Juan Diego
- Approval Status: Recognized by the Catholic Church in 1754.
- Our Lady of Laus (France, 1664-1718)
- Visionary: Benoîte Rencurel
- Approval Status: Officially recognized in 2008 by Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco.
- Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Paris, France, 1830)
- Visionary: St. Catherine Labouré
- Approval Status: Officially recognized by the Catholic Church.
- Our Lady of La Salette (La Salette-Fallavaux, France, 1846)
- Visionaries: Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud
- Approval Status: Recognized by the Catholic Church in 1851.
- Our Lady of Lourdes (France, 1858)
- Visionary: St. Bernadette Soubirous
- Approval Status: Recognized by the Catholic Church in 1862.
- Our Lady of Good Help (Champion, Wisconsin, USA, 1859)
- Visionary: Adele Brise
- Approval Status: Recognized by Bishop David L. Ricken in 2010.
- Our Lady of Pontmain (Pontmain, France, 1871)
- Visionaries: Four children, including Eugène Barbedette
- Approval Status: Recognized by Bishop Wicart in 1872.
- Our Lady of Gietrzwald (Poland, 1877)
- Visionaries: Justyna Szafryńska and Barbara Samulowska
- Approval Status: Recognized by Bishop Augustyn Rosentreter in 1977.
- Our Lady of Knock (Ireland, 1879)
- Visionaries: 15 witnesses, including Mary McLoughlin and Patrick Hill
- Approval Status: Recognized by Archbishop John MacHale in 1879.
- Our Lady of Fatima (Portugal, 1917)
- Visionaries: Lucia dos Santos, Jacinta Marto, and Francisco Marto
- Approval Status: Recognized by the Catholic Church in 1930.
- Our Lady of Beauraing (Belgium, 1932-1933)
- Visionaries: Five children, including Fernande Voisin and Gilberte Degeimbre
- Approval Status: Recognized by Bishop André-Marie Charue in 1949.
- Our Lady of Banneux (Belgium, 1933)
- Visionary: Mariette Beco
- Approval Status: Recognized by Bishop Louis-Joseph Kerkhofs in 1949.
- Our Lady of Akita (Japan, 1973-1979)
- Visionary: Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa
- Approval Status: Recognized by Bishop John Shojiro Ito in 1984.
- Our Lady of Kibeho (Rwanda, 1981-1989)
- Visionaries: Alphonsine Mumureke, Nathalie Mukamazimpaka, and Marie Claire Mukangango
- Approval Status: Recognized by Bishop Augustin Misago in 2001.
- Our Lady of Cuapa (Nicaragua, 1980)
- Visionary: Bernardo Martinez
- Approval Status: Approved by the Bishop of Matagalpa in 1994.
- Our Lady of San Nicolás (Argentina, 1983)
- Visionary: Gladys Quiroga de Motta
- Approval Status: Recognized by Bishop Héctor Cardelli in 2016.
Ongoing Apparition (Pending Final Approval)
Our Lady of Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1981-present)
- Visionaries: Six children
Approval Status: Official pilgrimages authorized by the Vatican in 2019; final status of the apparitions under investigation.
Also mentioned:
Our Lady of Clearwater (1996)
Our Lady of Necedah, WI (1950)
The Battle of The Milvian Bridge (312 AD)
The Book of Judges, Chap 6-8
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My podcasts target left-brained types like me, whose rigid view of life restricts us from considering things outside the tightly organized spiritual paradigm we either grew up with or built for ourselves.
Follow my podcasts to discuss serious topics like grief, human suffering, prayer, religion, and spiritual practices. I also cover things that I used to consider craziness or “woo-woo” such as: meditation, manifestation, spiritualism, spiritual awakening, reincarnation, past-life regression, the channeling of spirits and aliens (seriously…), soul groups, astrology, and even Chinese fortune cookies!
Mike
Website: https://mikenicholas.com
Email: mike@mikenicholas.com
YouTube Channel: @mikenicholas-unleashed
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