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
In France in 1572, Jane Frances Frémyot was born to the president of the local parliament. Her mother died when Jane was only 18 months old, and her devout father ensured Jane was well-raised and educated. When she was 21 he arranged for her to be married to the Baron de Chantal, a son of one of his friends. Jane had four children before the Baron was killed in a hunting accident, and widowed at 28, she moved in with her father-in-law to secure her children’s inheritance. Under the spiritual direction of St. Francis de Sales she founded the Congregation of the Visitation, an order for women whose health or age prevented them from joining other orders. Jane was deeply devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and grew her order to 86 houses before her death at age 69.
CHALLENGE
St. Jane de Chantal faced many adversities in her life, but she found ways to turn adversity into fruits for God. Adversity comes in many forms. What matters isn’t the adversity you face, but how you face it. What adversity is a part of your life? Bring it to your spiritual director, and figure out how you can turn your adversity into fruits for God.
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