Although most Catholics, and some non-Catholics, are familiar with the Miraculous Medal and its origin, few know much about St. Catherine Laboure, the woman to whom the medal was first revealed by the Blessed Virgin Mary. In this two-part series, we'll explore the fascinating character and life of this 19th-century visionary. I have always had a particular interest in and devotion to Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, having attended church and school as a child in the parish of that name (nicknamed "OLMM") in Ridgewood, NY. I now live near Philadelphia, where the Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal has its home in Germantown. It seems that Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal is never far from me! Although I had learned the story of the Miraculous Medal as a child from the nuns who taught at OLMM school, I didn't know much beyond the basic facts about St. Catherine Laboure, to whom the medal was first manifested. Always fascinated by saints, mystics, and visionaries, I wanted to find out more about her, and that's how I came to create this series. I hope you find it interesting!