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St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: Apostle of the Sacred Heart
(1647-1690)
Since the Church has dedicated the month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I decided to write a short reflection on St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Why St. Margaret Mary? Because she was chosen by Our Lord to spread devotion to His Most Sacred Heart.
In 1671, at the age of 24, Margaret was accepted into the convent of the Visitation Order at Paray France. Two years after entering the convent, in a vision, Our Lord revealed His Most Sacred Heart to her. His Heart, as she later described, was on fire, but was also surrounded by a crown of thorns. Our Lord told her that the flames represented His love for humanity, while the thorns represented man's sinfulness and ingratitude.
Jesus revealed to St. Margaret Mary twelve promises to those who practice devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. These promises include:
- I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
- I will establish peace in their families.
- I will console them in all their troubles.
- They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
- I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
- Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
- Tepid souls shall become fervent.
- Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
- I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
- I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
- Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
- 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.
The visions and revelations that St. Margaret Mary received led many in her community to gossip. Some even accused her of being delusional. All of this wounded Margaret deeply. And yet, she did not retaliate against those who hurt her. Instead she turned to the only person that could truly help her, Jesus. She leaned against Jesus and trusted Him completely.
One of the profound lessons that St. Margaret Mary can teach us, especially when we are maligned and attacked, is to rely and trust in Jesus. If she would have relied on her own strength and resolve she would have fallen flat on her face. Instead she relied on Jesus who gave her the strength and love not to retaliate, but stay true to her mission as the "Apostle of the Sacred Heart".
God bless!
For more information about the life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, visit or read the following:
Catholic Encyclopedia Online - St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
Patron Saints Index Online - St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
The Life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque by Emile Bougaud
Saint Margaret Mary: And the Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
The Letters of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque by Clarence A. Fr. Herbst
Thoughts & Sayings of St. Margaret Mary by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque