Marguerite-Marie Alacoque was born at L'Hautecourt in Burgundy, France. In her youth she
was healed from a crippling disorder by a vision of the Blessed Virgin, which prompted her to give her life to God. In 1671 she became
a nun at the Visitation convent of Paray-le-Monial. As a novice she was patient and charitable and made her profession the following
year. From 1673 to 1675 she experienced a series of visions of Christ speaking to her and showing her His heart. Before long she
entered upon her work, the spreading of public and liturgical devotion to the Sacred Heart. In 17th-century France irreligion and
Jansenism had in different ways obscured the doctrine of Christ's love for all human beings, sinners included. Marguerite-Marie
Alacoque along with others were the providential instruments of recalling this basic truth to the people. Although met with violent
opposition the devotion spread and became for a time extremely popular in the Church. Later Marguerite-Marie became mistress of novices
and assistant-superior. The devotion to, and an official feast of the Sacred Heart was later approved and recommended by the pope.
Marguerite-Marie Alacoque was canonized in 1920 and is celebrated on October 16th.
