Saint’s Life Story

Her Early Life

Margaret, also known as Marguerite, was born on July 22, 1647 in L’Hautecourt, Burgundy, France. She was the fifth of seven children, and the only daughter of Claude and Philiberte Lamyn Alacoque.

When Margaret was eight years old, her father died of pneumonia. His death left the family in a state of poverty. Relatives took control of the family home, treating both Margaret Mary and her mother cruelly. She stated: “The heaviest of my crosses was that I could do nothing to lighten the cross my mother was suffering.”

She was sent to a convent school run by the Poor Clares in Charolles, where she made her First Communion at the age of nine.

Miraculous Healing

At the age of 12, Margaret contracted a painful rheumatic fever had her bedridden for four years. At the end of this period, she made a vow to the Blessed Virgin Mary to consecrate herself to religious life.

Miraculously, Margaret was instantly healed and restored to perfect health. In recognition of this favor, she added the name “Mary” to her baptismal name of Margaret.

Marriage Thoughts Dismissed

When she was 17, however, her brother came of age, took undisputed possession of the home and things improved. Her mother encouraged her to socialize, in the hopes of her finding a suitable husband. Out of obedience plus believing that her childhood vow was no longer binding, Margaret began to accompany her brothers in the social events, attending dances and balls.

One night, after returning home from a ball for Carnival dressed in her finery, Margaret experienced a vision of Christ, scourged and bloody. He reproached her for her forgetfulness of him. However, He also reassured her by demonstrating that his heart was filled with love for her, because of the childhood promise she had made to his Blessed Mother.

Joined Visitation Sisters

As a result, at he age of 24, Margaret joined the Visitation Sisters (founded at Annecy by Saint Jane Frances de Chantal) at their convent in Paray-le-Monial, France on May 25 1671, intending to become a nun and fulfilling her earlier vow. A fellow novice described Margaret Mary as humble, simple and frank, but above all kind and patient. A year later, in November 1672, Margaret received the habit and made her vows, becoming Sister Margaret Mary Alacoque. Over the years, Margaret Mary served as novice mistress and assistant superior.

The other sisters viewed her as naive, frail, and awkward, but Margaret Mary was humble and patient and was charitable toward everyone. She was regarded as a simple and ordinary member of the community. However, God desired to use Margaret in an extraordinary and miraculous way.

Personal Revelations

From 1673 to 1675, Margaret Mary is said to have experienced a series of visions of Jesus. On December 27, 1673 – the feast of St John – Jesus appeared to her telling her his divine heart longed that the flame of the fire of its love should spread through her to all men and to enrich them with its precious treasures.

Margaret Mary shared her visions with Mother de Saumaise, who doubted their authenticity. Her superiors expressed concern that Margaret Mary was not living the normal prayer life of a Visitation sister. She was expected to pray certain vocal prayers and engage in various prescribed meditations. But, Margaret Mary was a mystic, being drawn into a profound communion with Jesus. ,

Jesus appeared to Margaret Mary on three more occasions over a period of eighteen months. In the year 1675, Margaret Mary had a vision where she encountered Christ, fresh from the Scourging, and He revealed to her His Sacred Heart, which was surrounded by thorns representing His sacrifices. In this vision, Christ made twelve promises to her and to those who would practice true devotion to His Sacred Heart.

The Twelve Promises of Jesus

The Twelve Promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary for those devoted to His Sacred Heart are:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Despite facing opposition, Margaret Mary fervently spread the message of devotion to the Sacred Heart, that has become known as the Nine Fridays and the Holy Hour with a feast day instituted for the Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi. While others questioned the authenticity of these visions, her Jesuit confessor, Saint Claude de la Colombière, believed and encouraged her. This devotion, although initially met with resistance, eventually gained widespread popularity and became a staple of Catholic piety.

Toward the end of Margaret Mary’s life, her community began to accept the revelations and observed the Feast of the Sacred Heart. They built a chapel in Paray-le-Monial to the Sacred Heart three years before her death.

Her Death

On October 17, 1690, Margaret Mary said “I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus” dying in Paray-le-Monial, Burgundy, France. Seventy-five years after her death, after thorough examination, Pope Clement XIII approved devotion to the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her body was found to be incorrupt, a phenomena often associated with sainthood. On May 13, 1920, Pope Benedict XV canonized her as a saint, acknowledging her exceptional devotion and the impact she made in promoting the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Born:                  July 22, 1647 at L’Hautecourt, Burgundy, France

Died:                  October 17, 1690 age 43 in Paray-le-Monial, Burgundy, France

Beatified:          September 18, 1864 by Pope Pius IX

Canonized:       May 13, 1920 by Pope Benedict XV

Feast Day:         October 17

Patron Saint:    Against Loss of Parents; Devotees of the Sacred Heart; Handmaids of Saint Margaret Mary and of the Poor; Polio Patients

Source:

• • St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: Witness to God’s Passionate Love – Catholic Fire – Catholic Fire
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque
  • Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin – My Catholic Life!
  • Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque – Saint for a Minute: Saints & Blesseds
  • Margaret Mary Alacoque – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque – YouTube (catholicnewsagency)