the human soul. Without which, they would never have been able to attain the knowledge
of God’s world and its peoples. Their many teachings and works are still affecting future
saints to this day and they will never become irrelevant or out of place. This is because the
works and lives of these saints contain the true realization that God was always, is always
and will always be, love, which will never age and will always be our true home and purpose.
The Life of St. Catherine Laboure
Saint Catherine Laboure was born on May 2, 1806, she was the eighth child of her family.
Her mother, overcome by work, died prematurely when Catherine was only 9. Catherine
grew up in a family in which prayer was a part of daily life. While the adults were gathered
around her dying mother, it is told that Catherine climbed on a chair and took the family's
statue of Our Lady in her arms. Timidly, but with conviction, she asked Mary to take the
place of her mother. This comforted her, and her tears soonstopped and she returned to
her mother's deathbed certain that she would not have to face life alone. All during her
infancy, Catherine Labouré had a great devotion to Our Lady Mary. After his wife's burial,
Pierre Labouré agreed to his sister's suggestion that she care for his two youngest children
Catherine (age 9) and Tonine (age 7). The two girls went to live with their cousins at Saint
Rémy, a village whichwas 1.8 miles (9 kilometers) from their home.
Catherine entered into the new family responsibilities. The first to rise, she carefully attended
to all her chores. She cooked, took care of the cows, collected eggs, made bread, took care
of the doves, and did the wash. On January 25, 1818, Catherine made her First Communion
at the age of 12. With great devotion, she often attended daily mass in the town of MoutiersSaint-Jean which was about 4 kilometers from her village. Tonine was worried, thinking
that her sister was taking on more than her strength would allow. She also noticed that
Catherine fasted on Fridays and Saturdays. Tonine, who thought that Catherine was far too
young to take up these practices, threatened to tell their father. Catherine who possessed
a strong character did not relent. One night, Catherine had a dream--In her church's village
an elderly priest was saying mass. The priest gazed at Catherine and said to her, "My daughter,
you may flee me now, but one day you will come to me, do not forget that God has plans for
you." Several years later when Catherine visited the Daughters of Charity at Chatillon-surSeine, she noticed a painting on the parlor wall, she was surprised to recognize the priest
in the painting as the priest on her dream. She asked, "Who is this priest?" A sister told her
that it was Saint Vincent de Paul, who founded the Order that she was visiting. Because of
this, Catherine knew she belonged with the Sisters of Charity.
She wondered how she should tell her father of her desire to become a Daughter of Charity.
Catherine knew that he would oppose such an idea, he felt that the sacrifice of his other
daughter, Marie-Louise becoming a Nun was enough. Catherine patiently waited until she
was of legal age to ask her father, but even then her father refused to give his permission. He
felt Catherine was too useful on the farm, and that her hard work, and happy temperament,
would make her a perfect farmer's wife and a wonderful mother. Mr. Labouré even tried to
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Children of the Rosary