Born to virtuous parents in France in 1647, Margaret Mary Alacoque adored the Eucharist from her childhood. After receiving her first Communion, out of love for Jesus she secretly began mortifications so severe she was bedridden for four years. She vowed to the Blessed Mother to enter the religious life at 13, but by her late teens she thought she could just do charitable work and that would be good enough. On her way home from a dance, she had a vision of the scourged Jesus. She repented of her broken promise and entered the Order of the Visitation, then while in prayer before the Eucharist a few years later, on December 27, 1673, she had the first of several revelations that she recorded in her diary, fully bringing us the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
CHALLENGE
Today is also the feast day of St. Longinus the Centurion, the Roman soldier who pierced the Sacred Heart of Jesus with a lance. When the spray of blood hit Longinus’ face, he was miraculously cured of an old eye injury. He was instantly converted and cried out, “Indeed, this was the Son of God!” In his infinite love for mankind, Jesus offers us his Sacred Heart to remedy all of our ills. Today, learn more about the 12 promises of Jesus and the devotion to the Sacred Heart at: www.welcomehisheart.com
