St. Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690)
Image Courtesy: Archbishop Jose Gomez
(Franciscan Media) Born in France at L’Hautecourt Burgundy, Margaret Mary was chosen by Christ to arouse the Church to a realization of the love of God symbolized by the Heart of Jesus.
Margaret Mary’s early years were marked by sickness and a painful home situation. “The heaviest of my crosses was that I could do nothing to lighten the cross my mother was suffering.” — After considering marriage for some time, Margaret Mary entered the ‘Order of Visitation Nuns’ at the age of 24
A Visitation Nun was ‘not to be extraordinary except by being ordinary.’ The young Margaret Mary was not to enjoy this anonymity , a fellow Novice (shrewdest of critics) termed Margaret Mary humble, simple and frank but above all kind and patient under sharp criticism and correction. Sister Margaret Mary could not mediate in the formal way expected, though she would try her best to give up her ‘prayer of simplicity’ — Slow, quiet and clumsy, Sister Margaret Mary was assigned to help an Infirmarian (one who cares for those who become ill and older Nuns in a Monastery) who was a bundle of energy.
In December 1674 three years a Nun, Sister Margaret Mary received the first of her many revelations, she felt ‘invested’ with God though always fearful of deceiving herself in such matters. — The request from Christ was that His love for mankind be made evident through her. During the next 13 months, Christ would appear to Sister Margaret Mary at intervals. Christ’s human heart was to be the symbol of His divine human love.
By Sister Margaret Mary’s own love, she was to make up for the coldness and ingratitude of the world–by frequent and loving Holy Communion, especially on the first Friday of each month, together with an hour’s vigil of prayer every Thursday night in memory of His agony and isolation at Gethsemane. — Christ also asked that a ‘Feast of Reparation’ be instituted.
In 1275 according to SQPN Sister Margaret Mary received 12 Promises to her and to those who practiced a true devotion to His Sacred Heart whose ‘Crown of Thorns’ represented His sacrifices. This devotion encountered violent opposition especially in Jansenist areas but has now become widespread and popular.
Like all Saints, Sister Margaret Mary had to pay for her gift of holiness–Some of her fellow Sisters were hostile. Theologians who were called in declared her visions delusions and suggested that she eat more heartily. Later parents and children that she taught called her an impostor, an unorthodox innovator however a new Confessor and Jesuit St. Claude de la Colombiere (Feast Day: 15 February) recognized Sister Margaret Mary’s genuineness and supported her.
Against Sister Margaret Mary’s great resistance, Christ called her to become a sacrificial victim of the shortcomings of her own Sisters and make this known.
After her service to God as a Novice Mistress and Assistant Superior, Sister Margaret Mary facing her last illness with courage according to Catholic News Agency Sister Margaret Mary would frequently pray the words of Psalm 73 she would pass away in October 1690 at the age of 43
Loyal Servant of God, Sister Margaret Mary was Beatified in 1864 by Pope Blessed Pius IX and Canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV
Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Visit: -USCCB