She was born in the house of farmer Pierre Labouré, the ninth of 11 living children. On October 9, 1815 Catherine's mother, Madeleine Gontard, died. Catherine was then just nine years old. Pierre's sister suggested that she care for his two youngest children, Catherine and Tonine. After he agreed, the sisters moved to their aunt's house at Saint-Rémy, a village nine kilometers from their home.