St. Catherine was called to the religious life and joined the Sisters of Charity in Paris. She had been at the motherhouse for only six months when the Blessed Mother appeared to her. At 11:30 PM on July 18th, 1830, Catherine was asleep when she heard a voice speaking to her. She woke up to see a little boy with blue eyes and golden hair whom she recognized as her guardian angel. He led her to the chapel, where Our Lady appeared and sat in a chair near the altar. She was wearing a white dress with a blue veil. At the urging of her angel, Catherine ran to Mary and knelt before her. She rested her hands in Mary's lap and looked up into her eyes as she listened to her speak. The Blessed Mother told Catherine that God had a special job for her to do, and also warned of a great time of upheaval that was soon to occur in France. In the late afternoon of November 27th, 1830, while at prayer with her community, Our Lady appeared again to Catherine. In this next apparition, she appeared in a robe that was the color of the dawn, with a white veil. In her hands
she held a golden ball topped with a cross. Then the vision changed. Mary was now holding her hands open, she held a golden ball topped with a cross. Then the vision changed. Mary was now holding her hands open, with rays of light pouring from them, a with rays of light pouring from them, and an oval-shaped frame appeared around her, bearing these words in gold: "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." It was the first time these words had ever been seen. This was the image that Mary wanted on the medal that she was requesting. In December of 1830, the Blessed Mother appeared to Catherine for the last time. This visit was similar to the visit in November, but this time Mary said: "You will not see me anymore, but you will hear my voice during your prayers."