Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Born: July 22, 1647, Verosvres, France

Died: October 17, 1690, Paray-le-Monial, France

Beatified: September 18, 1864 by Pope Pius IX

Canonized: May 13, 1920 by Pope Benedict XV

Feast day: October 16

Patronage: Those suffering with polio, devotees of the Sacred Heart, those who have lost their parents.

Margaret Mary Alacoque, V.H.M., was born on July 22, 1647, Verosvres, France. She was a French Roman Catholic Visitation nun and mystic who had visions of the sacred heart of Jesus and Mary and promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Margaret Mary began wearing the religious habit on August 25, 1671 and took her vows on November 6, 1672.

While in the monastery Margaret had several visions of the Sacred Heart, starting in 1673. They included a vision where Jesus allowed her to put her head over his heart while he discussed the wonders of love and told her he had chosen her to help spread the message of love and goodness to all mankind.

Her visions were initially doubted by those in the monastery, but she was eventually able to convince her superior of the veracity of her experiences.

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque died on October 17, 1690 in Paray-le-Monial, France. She was buried in the Chapel of the Apparitions in Fátima, Portugal.

In 1765, 75 years after her death, Pope Pius XI announced that Jesus Christ had “manifested Himself” to Margaret Mary, and the church began the practice of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Margaret Mary was beatified on September 18, 1864 by Pope Pius IX and canonized a saint on May 13, 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.

Source: Wikipedia