St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was born in 1647 in France. From a young age, she had a deep devotion to prayer and the Eucharist. After overcoming a serious illness in her childhood, she consecrated herself to the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the age of 24, she entered the Visitation Convent at Paray-le-Monial, where she would receive extraordinary revelations from Christ.
Between 1673 and 1675, Jesus appeared to her several times, revealing His Sacred Heart and asking her to spread devotion to His heart. These visions emphasized Christ’s immense love for humanity and His desire for people to make reparation for their sins through acts of love and devotion. Margaret Mary endured skepticism from many, even within her own convent, but eventually, her confessor, St. Claude de la Colombière, supported her, and the devotion spread. Her efforts led to the establishment of the Feast of the Sacred Heart and the practice of the First Friday Devotions.
St. Margaret Mary died in 1690 and was canonized in 1920. Her legacy continues to inspire devotion to the Sacred Heart, emphasizing Jesus’ love and mercy for all.
Practical Lessons:
Lesson 1: Act on What Matters to You, Even When It’s Hard: St. Margaret Mary faced doubt and resistance from those around her when she tried to spread devotion to the Sacred Heart. This reminds us to stay committed to what’s important to us, even when others don’t immediately understand or support our goals. For example, if you’re trying to introduce a positive change at work or in your family, stay patient and persistent even if it’s not instantly accepted.
Lesson 2: Prioritize Small Acts of Kindness and Love: The devotion to the Sacred Heart focuses on love and making reparation for sins through everyday actions. In daily life, we can practice this by doing small, consistent acts of kindness—whether it’s taking time to listen to someone, offering help to a colleague, or spending quality time with family. These small gestures can have a profound impact on those around us.
Prayer to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque:
O Lord Jesus Christ, who revealed the wonders of Your love through the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary, help us to follow her example by trusting in Your love and spreading kindness in our daily lives. Grant us the grace to endure challenges with patience and to show Your love in all we do. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
image: Schmidt hans / CC0
