St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
The Apostle of the Sacred Heart
"Behold this Heart which has so loved men that It has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify to them Its love."
Saint Facts
- Origin:
- France
- Gender:
- Female
- Vocation:
- Nun
- Birth:
- 1647
- Feast Day:
- Oct 16
- Death:
- 1690
Saint Details
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was born on July 22, 1647, in the Duchy of Burgundy, within the Holy Roman Empire, now part of modern-day France. Her early life was marked by hardship, including the death of her father when she was eight and a debilitating illness from age nine to thirteen. Despite these challenges, she felt a strong devotion to God from a young age. At 24, she entered the Visitation convent at Paray-le-Monial in 1671. It was there that she experienced a series of visions between December 27, 1673, and June 1675, in which Jesus revealed to her the importance of devotion to the Sacred Heart. These visions included instructions for practices such as the First Fridays Devotion and the Holy Hour. Initially met with skepticism, her experiences were later supported by her spiritual director, Father Claude de la Colombière. Over time, her writings and accounts faced rigorous examination by Church officials. Margaret Mary died on October 17, 1690. Her path to sainthood was formalized when she was declared Venerable in 1824 and Blessed in 1864. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XV on May 13, 1920, following the verification of two miracles attributed to her intercession. Today, she is celebrated as a key figure in promoting devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus throughout the Catholic Church.
Associated Holy Sites
Paray-le-Monial
71600 Paray-le-Monial, France
Details for: Paray-le-Monial
Paray-le-Monial is a significant Catholic pilgrimage site located in the Burgundy region of France. It is best known for its association with Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a 17th-century nun who experienced visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. These revelations emphasized the importance of devotion to the Sacred Heart, which became a central theme in Catholic spirituality. The town is home to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, a Romanesque church that attracts pilgrims seeking spiritual renewal and connection to this devotion. The site also includes the Chapel of the Visitation, where Saint Margaret Mary received her visions, and the Monastery of the Visitation, where she lived. Pilgrims visit Paray-le-Monial to reflect on the messages of divine love and mercy, participate in prayer services, and explore the rich spiritual heritage of the Sacred Heart devotion. The town remains a place of deep religious significance and a destination for those seeking inspiration and solace.
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