Origins
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque was born into a wealthy Burgundy family on July 22, 1647. Her parents were fervent Catholics, but not enough to allow one of their daughters to become a nun. However, at the age of five, Margarida consecrated herself to the Lord with a vow of chastity. At the age of 24, overcoming her parents’ resistance, she was able to enter the Order of the Visitation founded by Saint Francis de Sales.
Mocked by sisters
Margarida, when making her vows, added the name Maria because of the visions she had. However, rumors are circulating, and many of the nuns and their superiors do not believe her or even mock her, suggesting that she is sick or crazy. Among the Visitandinas, however, she will remain for more than twenty years experiencing extraordinary graces, but also enormous penances and mortifications that she will always face with a smile.
A good spiritual director
It was up to her spiritual father, the Jesuit Claude de la Colombière, to recognize in her the charisma of the saints. He will order him to relate his mystical experiences in what will be his autobiography, which has come down to us. At first, she resists, then, out of obedience, she agrees. As she wrote, she remained convinced that she was doing it just for herself; she didn’t realize the value of what she would be telling in those pages.
“My heart will expand to abundantly spread the fruits of your love on those who honor me.” (Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque)
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
From 1673 onwards, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque began to receive visits from Jesus who asked her for a particular devotion to His Sacred Heart, which appeared to her “radiant as a sun, with an adorable wound, surrounded by thorns and surmounted by a cross, lying on a throne of thorns.” From its history, the iconography we know today will emerge. For her commitment to the institution of the liturgical feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, scheduled for the eighth day after Corpus Christi, the nun also received a great promise from Jesus: anyone who received communion for nine consecutive months, on the first Friday of the month, would receive the gift of final penance, that is, dying receiving the sacraments and without sin. Jesus also asks her to appeal to the King of France Louis XIV to consecrate the country to the Sacred Heart, but the saint receives no response from the sovereign.
Easter
Jesus appears to Saint Margaret Maria Alacoque for 17 years, until the day of his death, when he will take her by the hand again. He calls her his “beloved disciple,” communicates to her the secrets of his heart, and makes her a participant in the science of love. Margarida Maria died on October 17, 1690; Thanks to her, in the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris, between 1875 and 1914, a sanctuary dedicated to the Sacre Coeur was built, consecrated in 1919. Beatified by Pius IX in 1864, she was canonized by Benedict XV in 1920.
My prayer
“Just as you found the heart of Jesus in your prayers, give us the same privilege and union with Him, the same love that you had for our redeemer. In this Holy Heart, let us find mercy and virtues for ourselves, expiation of sins for those far from God. Amen!”
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, pray for us!
Other saints and blesseds celebrated on October 16
- Santa Hedwigreligious, born in Bavaria and Duchess of Silesia. († 1243)
- In Jerusalem, the commemoration of St. Longinosvenerated as the soldier who opened the side of the Lord nailed to the cross with his spear.
- In the Toul region of France, Santo Eliphiowho is venerated as a martyr. († s. IV)
- Commemoration of the saints Martinian It is Saturnianmartyrs in North Africa, with two of his brotherswho had been converted to the faith of Christ by Saint Maximumvirgin. († s. V)
- In the territory of Limoges, in Aquitaine, France, the saints Loving and his disciple Saint Junianohermits. († s. VI)
- Near Arbon, in Germania, currently in Switzerland, São roosterpresbyter and monk. († 645)
- In Noyon, in Neustria, today in France, Saint MumolinoBishop. († c. 680)
- In the monastery of Heresfeld, in German Franconia, Germany, Saint LuloBishop of Mainz. († 786)
- In the territory of Retz, near Nantes, in Brittany Minor, today in France, Saint Vitalhermit. († s. VIII)
- In the territory of Mirepoix, next to the Pyrenees, in Gaul, France, Saint Gaudericofarmer, renowned for his devotion to the Mother of God. († c. 900)
- In Brioude, in the Arvenos region, in Aquitaine, France, Saint Beautifulvirgin. († s. IX/XI)
- In Pamiers, next to the Pyrenees, in France, Saint Anastasiomonk. († c. 1085)
- In Cominges, next to the Pyrenees, in France, Saint BeltrãoBishop. († c. 1123)
- In the monastery of Igny, in the Reims region, also in France, the passing of Blessed Gerard of Clairvauxabbot. († 1177)
- In Materdomini, in Campania, Saint Gerardo Majellareligious of the Congregation of the Holy Redeemer. († 1755)
- In Madrid, Spain, Blessed Jesus Villaverde Andréspresbyter of the Order of Preachers and martyr. († 1936)
- In the Auschwitz concentration camp, the blessed Aniceto Koplinskiof the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, and José Jankowskiof the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, presbyters and martyrs. († 1941)
- In Ramapuram, town of Palai, in India, Blessed Augustine Thevarparampil “Kunjachan”, elder. († 1973)
Source:
- Causesanti.va
- Roman Martyrology
- Santiebeati.it
- Vaticannews.va
- Vatican.va
– Research and writing: Rafael Vitto – Comunidade
– Production and editing: Melody de Paulo