St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
St. Margaret Mary of Alacoque was born in Burgundy, France in 1647. Upon entering the convent at age 24, she received visions from Christ telling her to spread devotion to His Sacred Heart, establish the Nine Fridays, and the Holy Hour. Margaret Mary shared her visions with her Superior, but failed to convince others in the community that her visions were real. Finally, with the support of her confessor, opposition ended.
In 1683, Margaret Mary became the Mother Superior’s assistant. The next few years brought Margaret Mary’s mission to fruition as the convent observed the first Feat of Sacred Heart in 1686. The Saints of the Sacred Heart devotion was approved by Pope Clement XIII in 1765. The Church celebrates her feast day on the anniversary of her death, October 17, 1690. Images of St. Margaret Mary of Alacoque show her receiving visions from Christ or a heart wrapped in a crown of thorns.
