Friday, November 5: Saint ALIVE

The first week of the St. Catherine series features a visit from the saint herself. Join us as St. Catherine Labouré, played by Victoria Rose Bonito, recalls her encounters with the Blessed Mother in Paris in 1830. Learn how an ordinary girl became an extraordinary saint by humbly listening to God’s call and allowing Mary to guide her throughout her life and work as a Daughter of Charity. How are you called to be a saint, even if you lead a seemingly uneventful life? How can you encounter Our Lord and Lady more intimately in your prayer life? How can you use your life, your whole self, to change the world?

Presenter: Victoria Rose Bonito has been acting and teaching professionally in the greater Philadelphia area for more than ten years, having featured roles in nearly forty productions at theaters like the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, City Theatre Company, and National Constitution Center, among others. When she is not home with her husband and two young boys, Victoria serves as a writer and actress at the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal. She holds her B.A. in theater, English, and secondary education from DeSales University and her M.A. in theater from Villanova University.

Friday, November 12: Family life with St. Catherine

St. Catherine Labouré entered the world on May 2, 1806, as the evening Angelus bells were ringing. Zoe (St. Catherine) was the second daughter and eighth of  ten children. At an early age, Catherine lost her mother and asked Our Lady to be her mother. When Catherine was 12, her older sister left home to enter the Sisters of Charity. Catherine, at this tender age, became “Mistress of the House.” Her domain was extensive and included responsibilities for the bakehouse, the orchard, and the henhouse… just to name a few. St. Catherine’s early life and the virtues she cultivated during those years were excellent preparation and formation for her life as a Sister of Charity and a messenger of Our Lady. Join us as we delve into the life of St. Catherine during this special time of her incredible life.

Presenter: Sister Mary Kay McDonald, MSBT, is a Missionary Servant of the Most Blessed Trinity, a congregation founded by Fr. Thomas Augustine Judge, CM, a Vincentian priest. Sister’s present ministry is at Mother Boniface Spirituality Center in Northeast Philadelphia, where she is available for retreats and Bible Study programs. She has a wide variety of experience in vocation/formation ministry and has served her community as Novice Director. Sister has served Spanish-speaking communities in Mexico and the United States.

Friday, November 19: In Community as a Daughter of Charity

When St. Catherine entered the Daughters of Charity in 1830, she was asked to tend the poor, sick, and infirm. Little did she know that her humble role would secretly evolve into something greater under the direction of Our Blessed Mother. How did she answer her call to live a life of humility, simplicity, prudence, and ordinariness while secretly promulgating the Miraculous Medal? Let us uncover these secrets together as we explore St. Catherine’s role and her everlasting impact on the Daughters of Charity.

Presenter: Sr. Marge Clifford, DC, has been with the Vincentian Family Office (VFO) since its 2015 beginnings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She met the Daughters of Charity while a nursing student in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since then, she has served in a variety of nursing, pastoral, and advancement positions. As the VFO Advancement Coordinator, Sr. Marge helps to research funding opportunities for collaborative projects that emphasize systemic change; promote a multidisciplinary approach for the project cycle process; define needs and plan strategies for problem solving; and create opportunities within the Vincentian charism for meeting the needs of those served.

Friday, November 26: The Legacy of St. Catherine Labouré in the World

Many people wear the Miraculous Medal, but how many of them actually “know” the history behind it? How many of them realize the role that St. Catherine’s played in promulgating it around the world? What is St. Catherine’s “legacy” in the world today? Join us for a panel discussion as we delve into these questions and share the many incredible stories and miracles attributed to St. Catherine and the Miraculous Medal.

Presenters: Panelists Victoria Rose Bonito (St. Catherine), Sr. Marge Clifford, DC, and Sister Mary Kay McDonald, MSBT, will be present to share stories, provide feedback, and answer any questions you may have about St. Catherine and the Miraculous Medal.