Margaret Mary Alacoque was a 17th-century French Nun and Saint who had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Margaret Mary Alacoque popularized the worldwide devotion, and Jesus appeared to her three times, explaining his Sacred Heart and inspiring her efforts. The apparitions occurred when Margaret Mary Alacoque was in a convent in France. She probably did more to popularize this devotion than any other person. The worldwide devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is among the most popular devotions worldwide. Margaret Mary Alacoque was initially not believed when telling of her apparitions, but she persisted. Would you persist in the face of such disbelief?
Margaret Mary Alacoque Biography
Margaret Mary Alacoque was born in 1647 in L’Hautecour, Burgundy, France. She was the fifth of seven children. Margaret was described as showing love for the Blessed Sacrament from early childhood. When Margaret Mary Alacoque was eight years old, her father died. She was sent to a convent school. Margaret Mary Alacoque later contracted rheumatic fever, which confined her to bed for four years. Having made a vow to the Blessed Virgin Mary to consecrate herself to religious life, she was instantly cured. In recognition of this favor, she added the name “Mary” to her baptismal name of Margaret.
Margaret Mary Alacoque was subjected to many trials to prove the genuineness of her vocation. She made her religious profession in 1672. At the monastery, Margaret Mary Alacoque had apparitions of Jesus Christ between 1673 and 1675. These visions revealed to her different forms of devotion to the Sacred Heart.
At the monastery, Margaret Mary Alacoque saw several apparitions and private revelations of Jesus Christ between 1673 and 1675. Among other things, these visions revealed to her the devotion to the Sacred Heart. The apparitions also revealed practices expressing devotion to the Sacred Heart. The First Fridays Devotion, which is the reception of Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of each month as an act of reparation, was asked of her, and a “Great Promise” was given to those who accomplish it.
Around 1681, Margaret Mary Alacoque wrote a personal testament, passionately donating her life completely to Jesus with her blood. With the permission of her superior, she used a pocket knife to carve the name of Jesus into her breast and used the blood to sign the document. She was upset that the wounds which she had cut into her breast were beginning to fade, and she attempted to reopen the original wounds on more than one occasion using a knife. But, she decided to burn her chest with fire.
In 1689, Alacoque received a private request from Jesus to urge the King of France, Louis XIV, to consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart, so that he may be “triumphant over all the enemies of Holy Church.” She received quite a few messages for France, but this was the only one for the King. She sent to Louis XIV, but “either [he] never received the letter or he refused to reply.” She died on 17 October 1690.
On August 23, 1846, Pope Pius IX officially declared her heroic virtues, granting her the title “Servant of God.’ On September 18, 1864, Pope Pius IX declared her Blessed. Another tomb opening was done for the process, and her brain was still discovered showing signs of incorruptibility, 174 years after her death. Margaret Mary Alacoque was canonized by Pope Benedict XV on 13 May 1920.
Conclusion
After her death, the devotion to the Sacred Heart was fostered by the Jesuits even as it remained controversial within the Catholic Church. The practice was not officially recognized for 75 years. The discussion of her mission and qualities continued for years. All her actions, her revelations, her spiritual maxims, her teachings regarding the devotion to the Sacred Heart, of which she was the chief exponent as well as the apostle, were subjected to the most severe and minute examination. Ultimately, she triumphed.
