_The First Apparition_
Sister Catherine in the simplicity of her heart had an ardent desire
to see the Blessed Virgin, and she prayed earnestly that she might
obtain this favor. The first apparition was vouchsafed her in the
chapel of the Mother House of the Sisters in Paris on July 18, 1830.
Our Blessed Mother appeared to her coming from the right side of the
altar and seating herself on the left side of the sanctuary in the
place usually occupied by the Director of the Sisters. Our Lady told
Sister Catherine that she would be charged with a mission, that she
would have many trials in fulfilling it, but that the thought of
God's glory would enable her to overcome all difficulties. The
Blessed Virgin foretold the evil events that would come on France,
and that the whole world would be in sorrow. "But come," said our
Holy Mother, "to the foot of this altar. There graces will be
showered on you and on all those who shall ask for them, rich or
poor."
[Illustration: The First Apparition]
First Apparition of Mary Immaculate to Sister Catherine Laboure
July 18, 1830. Eve of the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul.
_The Second Apparition._
The second apparition of our Immaculate Mother to Sister Catherine
took place towards the end of November in the same year. We give the
narration in her own words:
"The 27th of November, 1830, which was a Saturday and eve of the
first Sunday in Advent, whilst making my meditation in profound
silence, at half-past five in the evening, I seemed to hear on the
right hand side of the sanctuary something like the rustling of a
silk dress, and glancing in that direction, I perceived the Blessed
Virgin standing near St. Joseph's picture; her height was medium, and
her countenance so beautiful that it would be impossible for me to
describe it. She was standing, clothed in a robe the color of auroral
light, with high neck and plain sleeves. Her head was covered with a
white veil, which descended on each side to her feet. Her hair was
smooth on the forehead, and above was a coif ornamented with a little
lace and fitting close to her head. Her face was only partially
covered, and her feet rested upon a globe, or rather a hemisphere (at
least, I saw but half a globe). Her hands were raised about as high
as her waist, and she held in a graceful attitude another globe (a
figure of the universe). Her eyes were lifted up to Heaven, and her
countenance was radiant as she offered the globe to our Lord."
Then Sister Catherine tells us of the rings of precious stones that
covered the fingers of our Blessed Mother. From these stones darted
forth the brightest rays--symbols of the graces which Mary Immaculate
bestows on all who ask for them. "There now formed around the Blessed
Virgin," continues Sister Catherine, "a frame slightly oval, upon
which appeared in golden letters these words: 'O Mary, conceived
without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.'
"Then I heard a voice which said: 'Have a medal struck from this
model; persons who wear it indulgenced will receive great graces,
especially if they wear it around the neck; graces will be abundantly
bestowed upon those who have confidence.' Suddenly the picture seemed
to turn..." The reverse of the picture bore the letter M
surmounted by a cross, having a bar at its base and beneath the
monogram of Mary were the hearts of Jesus and Mary, the first
surrounded with a crown of thorns, the other transpierced with a
sword.
[Illustration: The Second Apparition]
Second Apparition
November 27th, 1830.
_The Third Apparition._
Father Aladel, C. M., her director, treated these relations of Sister
Catherine with coldness and severity, and he even forbade her to
believe in them. She made every effort to obey, but nothing could
efface the consoling memory of these visitations. In December she
again had an apparition of our Blessed Mother, the same as that of
November 27, except that in this third manifestation the Blessed
Virgin did not remain near the picture of St. Joseph, but passed
before it and stood to the rear of the Tabernacle, a little above it.
Again Sister Catherine was told to have a medal struck according to
this model.
[Illustration: The Third Apparition.]
Third Apparition.
Manifestation of the Miraculous Medal to Sister Catherine.