This article, the current feature in the Newsletter of the Association of the Miraculous Medal, is adapted from a talk Fr. Maloney gave in Rome to the leaders of the Association on October 24, 2001. This is part one of a two-part article.)
The apparitions to Catherine Labouré took place precisely at a time when Catholicism in France was coming back to life again after so many Catholics had been scattered and, in large part, wiped out, by the French Revolution. It is easy to see a connection between our Lady’s visit to France and this revival of faith. In 1830, many religious communities seemed to be dropping out of existence, especially the two involved in the Miraculous Medal, the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission. In the succeeding decades they experienced a remarkable revival. A great part of that revival was spiritual.

http://www.amm.org/bulletins/2003/feb03/feature.htm