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Friends of the Rosary,
Today is the Memorial Day of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690).
Our Lord chose this French Visitation nun and mystic to spread devotion to his Sacred Heart.
This privilege took place at a time when Protestantism and the heresy of Jansenism were trying to separate Catholics from their faith and their God.
Margaret had always intensely loved the Blessed Sacrament and preferred silence.
In one of her visions, she was instructed to spend an hour every Thursday night meditating on Jesus’ Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, a practice known as “The Holy Hour” that later became widespread.
In December 1673, Jesus appeared to Margaret Mary again and allowed her to rest her head on His heart. His human heart was to symbolize His divine-human love. He revealed to her the wonders of His love and explained to her that he wished to make these wonders known to all the world.
A group of theologians declared her visions delusions and suggested she eat better. Even parents of children she instructed began calling her an imposter.
Margaret eventually gained the support from the community’s confessor, St. Claude de la Colombiere, who declared her visions were genuine.
St. Margaret Mary later led the monastery in observing the Feast of the Sacred Heart and inspired the construction of a chapel to honor it.
Margaret Mary died a couple of years later, at 43, on October 17, 1690, while being anointed. She said, “I need nothing but God and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus.”
After her death, the Jesuits adopted devotion to the Sacred Heart, but it remained controversial within the Church. The practice did not become officially recognized until 75 years later.
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was officially canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. In 1928, Pope Pius XI upheld the Church’s position. He stated that Jesus “manifested Himself” to Margaret and confirmed the chief features of devotion to the Sacred Heart were the “reception of Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month, Eucharistic adoration during a ‘Holy hour’ on Thursdays, and the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart.”
Ave Maria!
Jesus, I Trust In You!
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Pray for Us!
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
To Jesus through Mary!
+ Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York
