The Apparitions at the Rue du Bac

July 18, 1830, was the eve of the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul whom Catherine loved so much, and whose heart she had seen overflowing with love, in a dream. That night, she prayed to Jesus that her great desire to see the Blessed Virgin be finally granted.

At 11:30 p.m. Catherine heard someone calling her name. A mysterious child stood at the foot of her bed and asked her to get up: "The Blessed Virgin is waiting for you," he said. Catherine got dressed and followed the child, who was "emitting rays of light wherever he went." Having arrived in the chapel, Catherine stopped near the priest's chair in the choir under the painting of Saint Anne (present location of the statue of Saint Joseph). She then heard a sound like the rustling of a silk dress. "Look, here is the Blessed Virgin," said her small guide. She showed reluctance to believe him. But the child repeated in a stronger voice: "Behold the Blessed Virgin."

Catherine threw herself to the feet of the Blessed Virgin who was seated in a chair, and placed her hands on the Mother of God's knees.

"There I spent the most pleasant time of my life. It would be impossible for me to describe what I experienced. The Blessed Virgin told me how I should conduct myself with regard to my confessor and many other things."

The Blessed Virgin motioned with her hand toward the altar with the tabernacle and said:

"Come to the foot of the altar. There, graces will be spread over all those who ask with confidence and enthusiasm."

Catherine received a mission, and a request to have a Confraternity of the Children of Mary established. A priest, Father Aladel, would accomplish this request on February 2, 1840.

On November 27, 1830, the Blessed Virgin appeared again to Catherine in the chapel. This time, Our Lady came at 5:30 p.m., during the novices' prayers, and she stood underneath the picture of Saint Joseph (the present location of the Virgin of the Globe). First, Catherine saw two living images like paintings cross fade before her eyes, with the Virgin Mary standing on a half-globe: her feet crushing a serpent.

In the first picture, Our Lady held a small golden globe surmounted by a small cross pointing up to Heaven:

"This globe represents the entire world, France, and each person in particular."

In the second picture, beautiful rays of light came from Our Lady's open hands. At that same time Catherine heard a voice saying:

"These rays symbolize graces that I obtain for people."

Then an oval shape formed itself around the apparition and Catherine saw this invocation emblazoned with gold letters written in a semi-circle:

"O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to you." 

Then she heard a voice saying:

"Have a medal made on this model. Those who will wear it with confidence will receive great graces." 

Finally, the picture turned and Catherine saw the reverse side of the medal: a cross surmounting the letter "M" (Mary's initial) and below it two hearts, one crowned with thorns, the other pierced by a sword.

In the month of December 1830, during prayer, Catherine heard the rustling sound again, this time behind the altar. The same picture of the medal was visible near the tabernacle, slightly behind it.

"These rays are the symbol of the graces that the Blessed Virgin obtains for those who ask them of her."

This vision marked the end of the apparitions. Catherine told Our Lady's requests to her confessor, Father Aladel. The latter was not receptive to the message and forbade her to think about it. This was a deep shock for her.

On January 30 1831, Catherine finished her novitiate and took the habit of the Daughters of Charity. The next day she left the Rue du Bac and went to the Hospice of Enghien, founded by the royal family of Orleans and located in a poverty-stricken area on the east side of Paris, where she would serve the poor for the next 46 years, incognito.

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Source: Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal