Saint Catherine Labouré, an emblematic figure of the Catholic faith, is known for having witnessed apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1830 at the Chapelle de la Rue du Bac in Paris. These apparitions led to the creation of the famous Miraculous Medal, a symbol of Marian devotion and divine grace. Today, the body of Saint Catherine Labouré rests in a sacred place where pilgrims come in great numbers to pay their respects. Find out where the body of this saint lies and why this place attracts so many faithful.
La Chapelle de la Rue du Bac : Place of Rest of Saint Catherine Labouré
The body of Saint Catherine Labouré rests in the Chapelle de la Rue du Bac, located at 140 Rue du Bac, in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. This chapel is part of the motherhouse of the Congrégation des Filles de la Charité, to which Catherine belonged. It was in this chapel that she had her Marian apparitions, and it was here that her body was placed as a tribute to her life devoted to faith and service to the poor.
The Incorrupt Conservation of Her Body
The body of Saint Catherine Labouré, who died in 1876, is considered to be "incorrupt". When her body was exhumed in 1933, in preparation for her beatification process, it was discovered that her body had been miraculously preserved from decomposition, a sign interpreted by believers as proof of her holiness. This incorruptibility, recognised by the Church, is considered a miraculous phenomenon that confers a sacred aura on the saint's body. After her exhumation, Catherine's body was placed in a glass shrine, on display in the Chapelle de la Rue du Bac. This allows pilgrims to view her body and meditate before her, a rare and moving privilege for visitors.
The Altar of Saint Catherine Labouré: A Place of Prayer and Recollection
In the chapel, the body of Saint Catherine Labouré rests in a shrine located near the main altar. This place has become a pilgrimage centre where thousands of people come every year to pray and honour the memory of this humble sister who passed on the message of the Miraculous Medal to the whole world. The faithful come here to deposit their prayers and intentions, seeking Saint Catherine's intercession in their own lives and for their loved ones.
Why do the Faithful Venerate the Body of Saint Catherine Labouré?
For believers, the body of Saint Catherine Labouré is much more than just a relic. It symbolises the devotion, faith and humility with which she lived. Saint Catherine never sought recognition for the apparitions she witnessed. She kept her secret all her life, devoting herself to the service of the poor and the sick. Her body now rests in this sacred place as a testimony to her life of holiness and total devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Pilgrims, as they meditate before her, express their gratitude for her obedience to the Virgin's requests and for the spread of the Miraculous Medal, which continues to transmit graces and blessings throughout the world.
The Chapel of Rue du Bac: A Place of Grace and Peace
The Chapel of Rue du Bac is not only a shrine to the memory of Saint Catherine Labouré, but also a place where the faithful come to pray to receive the protection and grace of the Virgin Mary through the Miraculous Medal. Pilgrims often leave their intentions and prayers at the altar, convinced that Saint Catherine is interceding for them with Mary. For many, visiting the chapel and meditating before the body of Saint Catherine is a deeply spiritual experience, a moment of peace and recollection. This sacred place, imbued with the spiritual presence of Mary and Saint Catherine, invites everyone to strengthen their faith and find comfort in Marian devotion.
The body of Saint Catherine Labouré rests at the Chapel of the Rue du Bac, a place that embodies the Miraculous Medal's message of grace and mercy. This place of contemplation, where her incorrupt body is displayed, is a symbol of her devotion and commitment to the Virgin Mary and the Church. For pilgrims, coming to pray before the body of Saint Catherine is a way of drawing closer to her, entrusting their intentions to her, and finding inspiration and strength in the example of her life. The Chapelle de la Rue du Bac thus remains a place of grace where every visitor can feel the benevolent presence of Mary and Saint Catherine Labouré.
