St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: The Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
•Religious
•Feast day: October 16
•1647-1690
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, renowned as the Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was born on July 22, 1647, in Janots, France. She grew up in a devout Catholic family, but her early years were marked by trials, including the death of her father when she was just eight years old. Following his death, her family experienced financial difficulties, and young Margaret Mary found herself mistreated by her aunt, who forced her to endure a harsh life akin to servitude. In the midst of these hardships, she turned to the Blessed Sacrament, drawing comfort and strength from her devotion to the Eucharist.
A Great Calling
Despite family opposition, at age 22, St. Margaret Mary entered the Sisters of the Visitation convent at Paray-le-Monial in 1671. Her decision to join the convent was driven by a deep sense of calling, though her novitiate was anything but easy. She experienced frequent misunderstandings and doubts from her peers and superiors, yet faced every challenge with unwavering patience, modeling her spirituality on the sacrificial love of Christ.
The Divine Revelations
On December 27, 1673, St. Margaret Mary experienced her first of several visions of Jesus. Over the next 18 months, Jesus appeared to her multiple times, revealing his great love for humanity and entrusting her with the mission of promoting devotion to His Sacred Heart. In these apparitions, Jesus showed her his heart, aflame with love for the world, yet wounded by humanity’s ingratitude and indifference.
Jesus instructed St. Margaret Mary to spread three key practices of devotion to His Sacred Heart:
- First Friday Devotion: Honoring the Sacred Heart by receiving Communion on the first Friday of each month.
- Holy Hour of Reparation: Observing an hour of vigil every Thursday night, reflecting Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
- Feast of the Sacred Heart: Promoting the establishment of a feast day dedicated to the Sacred Heart, celebrating His boundless love for humanity.
Skepticism and Support
At first, her claims were met with skepticism. The superior of her convent demanded proof of the authenticity of these visions. In response, St. Margaret Mary was miraculously healed from a serious illness shortly thereafter, a sign that further affirmed the divine origin of her mission. Moreover, Margaret Mary took seriously the instruction Jesus gave her: “Do nothing without the approval of your superiors, in order that you may not be misled by Satan.”
Despite this miraculous sign, some theologians and even members of her own community remained unconvinced. They recommended she take better care of herself, assuming her experiences were the result of an unbalanced diet or fragile health. It was during these trying times that she found a strong advocate in Fr. Claude La Colombière, a Jesuit priest who believed in her visions and defended her before the ecclesiastical authorities. Fr. Claude became her spiritual director and played a crucial role in spreading the devotion to the Sacred Heart, as he too felt a profound calling to this mission.
The Spread of Devotion
In 1687, a chapel was built at Paray-le-Monial in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, becoming the focal point for the devotion that would eventually spread throughout the Catholic Church. St. Margaret Mary’s visions had a significance not only for her community but for the entire Church, as devotion to the Sacred Heart became one of the most beloved expressions of Catholic spirituality. The devotion emphasizes the merciful love of Jesus and invites the faithful to respond with greater love, prayer, and reparation for the sins committed against Him.
The Feast of the Sacred Heart was eventually instituted by Pope Pius IX in 1856, almost two centuries after St. Margaret Mary’s death, officially recognizing her message and establishing the devotion as a universal celebration within the Church.
Her Lasting Legacy
St. Margaret Mary passed away peacefully on October 17, 1690, at the age of 43. She spent her final years in the convent, faithfully promoting the devotion to the Sacred Heart, despite her struggles and opposition. Her canonization in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV further affirmed her role in the Church and the authenticity of her visions. Her feast day is celebrated on October 16.
Impact on Catholic Spirituality
The Sacred Heart devotion that St. Margaret Mary championed has had a lasting impact on Catholic spirituality, becoming a cornerstone of understanding Jesus’ love and mercy. The image of the Sacred Heart, often depicted with a heart encircled by thorns and radiating divine light, serves as a symbol of Christ’s infinite love for humanity. This devotion also led to the practice of consecration of families and nations to the Sacred Heart, a tradition that continues in many Catholic communities today.
St. Margaret Mary’s life reminds us of the power of faith and resilience. Despite personal hardship and the skepticism she faced, her unwavering love for Christ and her obedience to His will allowed her to fulfill the mission entrusted to her. The devotion to the Sacred Heart invites each of us to draw closer to the tender, sacrificial love of Jesus—a love that longs for our response, trust, and devotion.
